2 Braves pitchers set to undergo surgery, Spencer Strider’s outlook remains uncertain
Spencer Strider and two other Braves pitchers received injury updates following the team’s series against the Dodgers.
The Atlanta Braves continue to lead the National League East. Chris Sale just clinched a series sweep for the Braves against the Los Angeles Dodgers with a dominant shutout performance, as Atlanta earned a 1-0 victory on Wednesday. However, the Braves received a couple of unfortunate injury updates on Thursday, via Mark Bowman of MLB.com.
“Hurston Waldrep will have Tommy John surgery and Spencer Schwellenbach will have surgery to repair the same elbow fracture he suffered last year,” Bowman reported.
Meanwhile, starting pitcher Spencer Strider’s outlook remains uncertain but he may not pitch again this season.
“The Braves still aren’t saying Strider’s season is done. But that has been the assumption since June,” Bowman added.
The door is still open for Strider to return, but it seems unlikely. He is dealing with an elbow injury and the Braves are going to proceed with caution.
Meanwhile, Waldrep and Schwellenbach — who are both impactful starters as well — will undergo surgery for their elbow injuries. Waldrep is set to undergo Tommy John surgery while Schwellenbach will have surgery as he battles an elbow fracture.
The Braves’ starting rotation has serious uncertainty. Sale is the ace and he may end up finishing as a National League Cy Young finalist. Pitchers such as Bryce Elder, Martin Perez and Grant Holmes can help matters, while Tyler Mahle was acquired in a trade before the deadline. Nevertheless, the Braves’ starting pitching will have questions heading into the postseason.
Updates on the Braves players’ injury concerns will continue to be monitored and provided as they are made available.
The Atlanta Braves continue to lead the National League East. Chris Sale just clinched a series sweep for the Braves against the Los Angeles Dodgers with a dominant shutout performance, as Atlanta earned a 1-0 victory on Wednesday. However, the Braves received a couple of unfortunate injury updates on Thursday, via Mark Bowman of MLB.