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 López made just one start before undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder. López 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.