Just days after returning from elbow surgery, Braves pitcher Spencer Strider has landed back on the injured list — this time due to a strained right hamstring.
Strider suffered the injury on Monday while casually playing catch at Truist Park. He informed the team he wouldn’t be able to make his scheduled Tuesday start against the Cardinals, prompting Atlanta to place him on the 15-day IL.
“It was just one of those freak accidents,” said Braves manager Brian Snitker. “You can do everything right and something can still go wrong. That’s what happened here.”
Snitker said Strider wasn’t doing anything strenuous at the time — just loosening up his arm the day before his start. There was no fall or obvious misstep.
The injury is a tough break for both Strider and the Braves. He had just returned to the rotation after undergoing elbow surgery last year to repair his right ulnar collateral ligament with an internal brace. He pitched five innings and gave up two runs in his season debut last Wednesday in Toronto, and was set to make his first home start of 2025 on Tuesday.
The Braves are still awaiting full details from Strider’s MRI, which was completed Monday evening. Given his recent recovery, the team is expected to proceed cautiously with his return.
“You feel for him, especially after everything he’s been through,” said third baseman Austin Riley. “When you come back from an arm injury, the mental side of things is tough. Hopefully, it’s nothing serious.”
In Strider’s absence, the Braves plan to go with an opener on Tuesday. Righty reliever Michael Petersen, who was called up from Triple-A Gwinnett on Monday, is one candidate. Another possibility is Scott Blewett, a recent acquisition from the Orioles.
Meanwhile, the Braves’ pitching staff has faced more setbacks in 2025. Last year’s Cy Young winner Chris Sale is struggling with a 6.17 ERA over five starts, and All-Star Reynaldo López is out until at least late August following shoulder surgery.
Triple-A pitcher AJ Smith-Shawver started on Friday and won’t be available to pitch again until at least Wednesday.
