ATLANTA -- Spencer Strider is back on the injured list, less than a week after he made his much-anticipated return from elbow surgery.
Strider strained his right hamstring while playing catch on Monday afternoon at Truist Park. He was placed on the 15-day IL after informing the Braves he would be unable to make his scheduled start against the Cardinals on Tuesday.
Strider has a Grade 1 hamstring strain, which is the mildest of strains, but it will still take some time to heal. A timetable for Strider's return will be determined over the next couple of weeks.
¡°It was just one of those freak things,¡± Braves manager Brian Snitker said. ¡°You can do everything right and still have something happen, which he does. It¡¯s just a freak thing.¡±
Snitker learned of the injury as he crossed paths with Strider as the pitcher was coming back to the clubhouse after his ill-fated throwing session. It wasn¡¯t like the hurler slipped or got a cleat stuck in the ground.
¡°He was just getting a feel for his arm the day before he pitches,¡± Snitker said. ¡°It wasn¡¯t anything accelerated or strenuous.¡±
This was another big blow for the Braves, who put Strider back in the rotation last week, a little more than a year after his right ulnar collateral ligament was repaired by the insertion of an internal brace. The right-hander allowed two runs over five innings on Wednesday in Toronto and was looking forward to making this season¡¯s first home start on Tuesday.
The Braves will get a better feel for the severity of Strider¡¯s ailment over the next few days. Snitker wasn¡¯t aware of the results of an MRI exam completed Monday evening. But given he just returned from a long rehab process, they will likely take a cautious approach regarding his return.
¡°You hate it for the guy with everything he has been through,¡± Braves third baseman Austin Riley said. ¡°With an arm injury and being out that long, I know that¡¯s hard on the mental side. Hopefully, it¡¯s something minor.¡±
After Strider made just one healthy start in 2024, the Braves benefited from the great seasons produced by 2024 National League Cy Young Award winner Chris Sale and 2024 All-Star Reynaldo López. But this year has been far different for both hurlers.
Sale has a 6.17 ERA through five starts and L¨®pez made just one start before undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder. L¨®pez will likely be sidelined until at least late August, and it¡¯s unclear whether he would return as a starter or reliever.
With Strider sidelined, the Braves will use an opener for Tuesday¡¯s game. The opener could be Michael Petersen, a right-handed reliever who was recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett early Monday evening to take Strider¡¯s roster spot. Another option would be Scott Blewett, a reliever who was acquired from the Orioles for cash considerations on Sunday.
AJ Smith-Shawver started for Triple-A Gwinnett on Friday, so he wouldn¡¯t be available before Wednesday.