Braves get best possible news on Spencer Strider injury

We finally have the information we’ve all been waiting for on Spencer Strider, and it’s the best possible scenario.

According to Mark Bowman, Strider avoided structural damage to the elbow. It does not look like he is going to need surgery, and his visit to Dr. Keith Meister is just focused on coming up with a plan to get him back on the mound.

Strider’s MRI didn’t show any ligament damage, just inflammation. There aren’t any current concerns about him needing surgery. Today’s visit with Dr. Meister (performed surgery in 2024) will just provide an indication of what the next steps will be. Meister will provide a…

— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) June 15, 2026

I’ve said this from the beginning — this news is more about Strider’s career than it is about the Braves’ outlook in 2026. Another elbow surgery would have been his third, following Tommy John surgery in college and InternalBrace surgery just a couple of years ago. This very easily could have been a career-ending ordeal had his MRI shown something different.

As far as the 2026 campaign goes, not much changes. Strider hasn’t been pitching well — he’s been an average starter since returning last season, posting a 4.66 ERA over his last 31 starts. That’s easily replaceable with what the Braves already have in-house, and just because he might be able to return at some point this year doesn’t mean the team should be expecting anything meaningful from him.

Strider has a lot of work left to do before he’s an impact pitcher for the Braves again. In fact, it wouldn’t be surprising if they try him out of the bullpen when he does return.

—

UPDATE: The Braves have said Spencer Strider will be shut down for the next four weeks. At that point, he will take another MRI and if everything checks out he will begin throwing again.

Following a consultation with Dr. Keith Meister today, RHP Spencer Strider will be shut down from throwing for four weeks and then undergo a follow-up MRI. Provided that scan is clear, he will then begin a throwing progression.

— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) June 15, 2026

There’s a small possibility everything goes perfectly, and Strider becomes a contributor down the stretch. However, a lot of things must go right, and it will almost certainly be a role out of the bullpen.

—

(Photo by David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire)