Spencer Strider will begin the IL season with Oblique Strain
The Atlanta Braves are losing another starting pitcher before the regular season even begins.
Coach Walt Weiss confirmed Monday that Spencer Strider is expected to begin the year on the injured list with a left oblique strain. The righty felt a slight push after starting a minor league game against the Red Sox on Tuesday, and lingering discomfort led to the decision to scratch him from his scheduled start Monday against the Pirates.
“I think we got through this to some extent,” Weiss said. “So hopefully it’s not a big deal.”
Even a brief absence will hurt a Braves team that is already shorthanded in the rotation and faces 13 straight games to open the regular season.
Weiss said Strider was showing enough discomfort that throwing him risked a more serious setback.
“It’s hard for him to hear it, but it’s there when he pitches,” Weiss said. “There’s a chance, if he had gone out and started today, it would have set him back.”
Strider isn’t the only concern. Spencer Schwellenbach entered camp suffering from right elbow discomfort. Hurston Waldrep and Schwellenbach both underwent elbow surgery in February and won’t return until late June or early July. Joey Wentz tore his right anterior cruciate ligament on March 8.
Reynaldo Lopez also drew attention after his four-seam fastball averaged just 89.4 mph against the Twins on Sunday, a notable drop. Lopez, who started the regular season just a year before undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery, said the drop in velocity was due to mechanical issues rather than injury. Weiss said he asked Lopez about his health about a dozen times and was told he was fine.
Atlanta’s rotation to open the season will likely include Chris Sale, Lopez, Grant Holmes, Bryce Elder and Jose Suarez. Veteran Martin Perez has agreed to remain with the organization despite not earning a spot on the Opening Day roster and may be forced into rotation duty sooner than expected given the circumstances.
Weiss acknowledged the challenge ahead but expressed confidence in what the organization has.
“We have a long road ahead. There will be more punches along the way,” Weiss said. “We have quality weapons in this field. We help each other when necessary.”
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