Right-handed pitcher Spencer Strider underwent UCL surgery on Friday and will miss the remainder of the 2024 season. Dr. Keith Meister in Arlington, Texas, performed the surgery, which repaired the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow with an internal brace. It’s certainly a big loss for the Atlanta Braves, as Strider is an electric pitcher to watch in MLB. His teammates and fans are surely wishing him a speedy recovery.
Spencer Strider Has UCL Repaired, Out for Season
This surgery is similar to Tommy John, but it’s a different version designed to prevent future injury. The recovery time is certainly faster. They use a player’s muscle and materials to make it grow back over itself. No ligaments from corpses or somewhere else in the body. The 2024 season presented a lot of injuries early on, and they were all mostly arm injuries. Strider out for the season is certainly a huge disappointment and blow for the Braves.
It’s never easy for a team when they lose one of their star aces. This surely will put a dent in baseball, as everyone wants the best players playing, and so far, many pitchers have been dealing with injuries. It stings to see talented players get hurt. Hopefully, he can return just as strong next season, but the rivalry won’t feel the same until then. Strider got imaging done and immediately went straight to a doctor on how to proceed with the injury. Last season, Strider recorded a 20-5 record with a 3.86 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP. Strider also recorded his franchise-record 281 strikeouts in 186 2/3 innings. He broke the MLB record for fastest to 200 strikeouts in both of his MLB seasons. Strider was a fourth-round draft pick by the Braves in 2020. He amazingly earned himself a spot in the majors after only playing 22 minor-league games.
Strider Won’t Get to Stride High in 2024
Strider isn’t the only pitcher who is out for the season with an arm injury. Cleveland’s Shane Bieber, the New York Yankees Jonathan Loaisiga, Miami’s Eury Pérez and Oakland’s Trevor Gott are among the pitchers diagnosed with elbow injuries. Exactly when Strider will return in 2025 remains fluid. His surgery is fairly new and the recovery from internal brace surgeries is fairly new. The recovery timeline isn’t quite as established as the 13-15 months normally with Tommy John rehabs. However, the shorter the timeline for brace surgeries means that Strider could be back in time for Opening Day 2025.
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