Just a week after returning from the injured list, Atlanta Braves ace Spencer Strider is already back on the injured list with a strained hamstring. According to Mark Bowman, the injury happened before Monday's game against the St. Louis Cardinals while he was playing catch.
This is no doubt an unfortunate setback after spending the last year recovering from internal brace surgery on his right elbow. The righty pitched five innings and allowed two runs in his first start back, but did struggle with velocity throughout the game.
What Spencer Strider's latest injury means for the Braves rotation
The last-second injury has put the Braves rotation plans in limbo. While it doesn't seem likely that the righty will be out for significant time, he was scheduled to make a start tomorrow against St. Louis. AJ Smith-Shawver started on Friday, putting him on short rest to start on Tuesday.
For now, the club opted to recall reliever Michael Petersen instead. Petersen might a one game cameo in Tampa earlier this month for Atlanta.
Strider's injury is certainly frustrating for Strider, who has only made one start back from his elbow surgery, and disappointing for fans who were excited to see him pitch. The 2023 All-Star is just one season removed from being named a top-10 pitcher in all of baseball, and after dominating the minor during his rehab stint, the team was no doubt looking forward to having him round out the rotation.
Instead, the Braves are now unsure who will be starting in Strider's place. The Braves 40-man roster is currently full and the Gwinnett starting pitchers who took the mound on Wednesday and Thursday, Chasen Shreve and Nathan Wiles, are not currently on the 40-man roster.
The Braves could opt for a bullpen game, with Petersen and newly acquired reliever Scott Blewett handling the bulk of the innings, or could add Wiles or Shreve to the 40-man and designate another player for assignment.
Whatever the plan is, this is no doubt a shocking injury that will leave fans wondering if it's still 2024.