The Atlanta Braves and their fans are collectively holding their breath.
This weekend, they could get some news that will impact the entire landscape of their season.
After diminished velocity and conceding five runs in four innings on Friday against the Arizona Diamondbacks, it was clear something was not right with ace Spencer Strider.
After the game, it was revealed that he reported elbow issues and will go for an MRI on Saturday.
“Strider’s elbow was bothering him. He’ll get a MRI tomorrow,” Braves insider Mark Bowman tweeted.
Strider’s elbow was bothering him. He’ll get a MRI tomorrow
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) April 6, 2024
The list of pitching elbow injuries grows by the day in MLB.
Pitchers’ emphasis on throwing harder and harder is taking a toll on their physique.
In Strider’s specific case, his high-octane fastball and wicked slider were potential health risks.
Depending on the results of the MRI, the righty could be out for a couple of turns or a couple of seasons (2024 and most of 2025 if he needs Tommy John surgery).
It’s still too early to jump to conclusions, though, but fans are getting anxious and understandably so.
The Braves have a lot of talented pitchers, such as Max Fried, Chris Sale, Charlie Morton, and Reynaldo Lopez.
Nobody on the staff has Strider’s upside and strikeout ability, though.
If he were to miss significant time, the Braves would definitely suffer and miss him.
He is MLB’s premier strikeout artist and a true showman as a pitcher.
For the season, he now has a 7.00 ERA in nine innings of work.
Everybody in baseball hopes he can return to the mound soon.
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