On Saturday, the Braves announced that Spencer Strider's MRI revealed damage to his UCL. The ace had struggled in his start the day before and told the training staff that his elbow was bothering him after exiting the game.
While the team noted that they were getting a second opinion before deciding on the next course of action, they said that the 25-year-old would be going on the Injured List, but they were waiting a day before making a roster move.
On Sunday morning, they announced that Allan Winans would replace Strider on the 26-man roster.
The #Braves today recalled RHP Allan Winans to Atlanta and placed RHP Spencer Strider on the 15-day injured list with a right elbow UCL sprain.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) April 7, 2024
Will Alan Winans replace Spencer Strider in the Braves rotation?
Last season, Allan Winans made his major league debut against the Brewers, two-and-a-half weeks before his 28th birthday. Winans continued to make spot starts throughout the season, finishing the year with six starts and a 5.29 ERA in 32.1 innings.
Although Winans started games last season, expect the righty to act as a long reliever in his first stint in the bigs this season. However, as Mark Bowman of MLB.com stated, if he isn't used by next Wednesday, he could be an option to make the start.
Winans gives the Braves a long relief option over the next few days. If he’s not used, he would be an option to start on Wednesday against the Mets. https://t.co/YzL0o4yRi8
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) April 7, 2024
The club does have a wealth of depth in the Triple-A rotation, with Bryce Elder, Darius Vines, AJ Smith-Shawver, Dylan Dodd, and Huascar Ynoa all making starts with the Gwinnett Stripers, in addition to Winans.
Bryce Elder, however, won't be the starter replacing Strider, at least not immediately. The 2023 All Star made his start last night, which would put him on short rest for the start on Wednesday.
Darius Vines, who pitched in five games for the Braves last season (two starts) went seven innings in his start on Thursday, striking out seven and allowing two runs.
AJ Smith-Shawver opened on Friday, but only went 0.2 innings. Dylan Dodd was the bulk guy that game and went 6.2 innings, allowing two runs and striking out five.
The Braves likely won't announce their Wednesday starter until after Tuesday's game, but for now, Allan Winans gets his first shot in 2024 to make a big impression.