Atlanta Braves ace Spencer Strider has been sidelined for the remainder of the 2024 season due to elbow issues, despite avoiding a second Tommy John surgery. Strider, who was a dominant force in MLB last year, leading the league in strikeouts and wins, felt discomfort after just two starts this season. At 25 years old, he was a favorite for the Cy Young Award, but now his season has come to an abrupt end.
Strider had previously undergone Tommy John surgery in 2019, which he used as a learning experience to improve his pitching skills. Despite his setback, the Braves are now without their top pitcher as they aim for a third consecutive 100-win season. With only four starting pitchers in their rotation, including players with injury histories and unproven youngsters, the team may need to seek reinforcements from their minor league affiliates or explore the trade market for additional pitching depth.
Internal options for the Braves include young pitchers like Bryce Elder and AJ Smith-Shawver, who have had limited MLB experience but show potential for growth. Huascar Ynoa, a familiar face for Braves fans, missed the entire 2023 season due to Tommy John surgery and could be another option for the team. However, there is uncertainty surrounding the readiness of these young pitchers to step up in Strider’s absence.
In terms of external options, the trade market typically heats up around June, but there are a few potential targets that could interest the Braves if they become available. Pitchers like Freddy Peralta, Seth Lugo, Michael Wacha, and Jack Flaherty could be on the market if their teams are not in playoff contention and they perform well. However, it remains to be seen if these players will be available for a trade and what the cost might be for the Braves.
With the loss of Strider, the Braves will need to rely on their depth and potentially make moves to shore up their pitching staff for the remainder of the season. Whether they find solutions internally or need to make external acquisitions, the team will face stiff competition for available pitchers. As they navigate through the challenges of the season, the absence of Strider will be a significant loss that the Braves will need to overcome in order to maintain their competitiveness.
Overall, the Braves will need to adjust to the absence of their star pitcher and explore all avenues to ensure their pitching staff remains strong. With a mix of promising young talent and potential trade targets, the team has options to address their needs. However, the loss of Strider will undoubtedly be felt as the Braves strive to maintain their winning ways in a competitive MLB landscape.
