Atlanta, Georgia – The Atlanta Braves have placed right-hander Spencer Strider on the 15-day injured list due to a strained right hamstring, retroactive to April 18. In his place, fellow right-handed pitcher Michael Petersen has been recalled to the roster.
Strider, who recently returned from the injured list, had just made one start since recovering from UCL surgery. He pitched five innings against the Blue Jays before experiencing the hamstring strain. His scheduled start against the Cardinals had to be canceled after he suffered the injury while playing catch.
The Braves, who have had a challenging start to the 2025 season, are now faced with the absence of Strider for at least a couple of rotation turns. This setback will require the team to adjust its pitching plans, with Spencer Schwellenbach stepping in for tonight’s game and Bryce Elder taking the mound on Wednesday.
The team is also dealing with injuries to Reynaldo López, who will be out until July, and the departure of Ian Anderson, who was traded to the Angels. The Braves acquired reliever Scott Blewett in exchange for José Suarez, who was designated for assignment.
With Strider sidelined, the Braves will need to rely on other pitchers such as AJ Smith-Shawver, Hurston Waldrep, Davis Daniel, and potentially Dylan Dodd or Zach Thompson to fill the void in the rotation. The team faces a short-term challenge before their scheduled off day on Thursday, presenting an opportunity to realign their pitching staff.
Despite the obstacles, the Braves remain hopeful that Strider will return to stabilize the rotation in the near future. His absence, though significant, gives other pitchers the chance to step up and contribute as the team works towards improving their standing in the league over the coming months.