The latest injury to a former Clemson star began brewing when he was a Tiger.

Atlanta Braves star Spencer Strider underwent a UCL bracing procedure that ended his 2024 season. It was initally feared that it was going to be a second Tommy John, but that wasn’t the case.

Actually, it was slightly better news because the ligament was intact according to 92,9 The Game’s Grant McAuley. Strider met with media to discuss the injury and detailed discomfort that started back in the spring.

Strider said he stayed away from the “apocalyptic thoughts” that it was going to result in a major procedure. Those premonitions proved to be true as the 2023 All Star will have to sit the bench for the franchise’s latest run at a World Series.

Based on details reported by the Atlanta Journal Constitution’s Justin Toscano, the injury began development in 2019 around the time he underwent Tommy John surgery at Clemson. The two have no correlation, but that’s just the time a bone fragment formed in his UCL.

Considering those details, the injury could’ve been a lot worse for Strider and it just came to bracing it and beginning this recovery. He noted that the Braves don’t need him to win a World Series, but it’s still a massive hit to a team considered a juggernaut next to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL.

Atlanta is 12-5 and at the top of the NL East. Strider will continue his rehab with hopes to be ready for Opening Day in 2025. An unfortunate string of events for one of baseball’s stars on the mound.

Photo courtesy of Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports