Baseball’s UCL Epidemic: Atlanta Braves Ace Strider Faces Uncertain Future After MRI Reveals Elbow Damage

In a blow to the Atlanta Braves, ace right-hander Spencer Strider is facing an uncertain future after an MRI revealed damage to the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. The severity of the damage was not disclosed, but Braves manager Brian Snitker expressed disappointment, stating that the news “wasn’t good.”

Strider first noticed discomfort in his elbow after pitching in Friday night’s game against Arizona. Despite his performance, he did not mention any issues with his elbow until after the game. Snitker anticipated the results of the MRI would not be favorable, recognizing that UCL injuries often lead to season-ending Tommy John surgery.

In addition to Strider’s injury, Cleveland Guardians ace Shane Bieber also announced that he would undergo Tommy John surgery, ending his season. Snitker commented on the trend of UCL injuries across baseball, noting the increased velocity and spin pitchers are using in today’s game. Despite the setback, Snitker remains optimistic about Strider’s future prospects, stating that he believes the young pitcher has the potential for a successful career once he recovers.

Strider had an impressive 2023 season, leading the majors in wins with a record of 20-5 and recording 281 strikeouts. However, his performance this season has been less stellar, with an ERA of 7.00 after two starts. Snitker has not yet announced how he plans to address Strider’s absence in the rotation but emphasized the need to assess