The Atlanta Braves are losing another starting pitcher before the regular season even begins.
Manager Walt Weiss confirmed Monday that Spencer Strider is expected to start the year on the injured list with a left oblique strain. The right-hander felt a slight pull after making a start in 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’ve gotten out in front of this thing to a degree,” Weiss said. “So we’re hoping it’s not going to be a big deal.”
Even a short absence will sting for 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 pitching through it risked a more serious setback.
“It’s hard for him to feel it, but it is there when he throws,” Weiss said. “There’s a chance, if he would have went out and made a start today, it would have set him back further.”
Strider is not the only concern. Spencer Schwellenbach entered camp dealing with right elbow discomfort. Hurston Waldrep and Schwellenbach both underwent elbow surgery in February and will not return until late June or early July. Joey Wentz tore his right ACL 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 made just one regular-season start last year before undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery, said the velocity dip was due to mechanical issues rather than injury. Weiss said he asked Lopez about his health roughly 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 agreed to stay in the organization despite not earning an Opening Day roster spot and could be pressed into rotation duty sooner than expected given the circumstances.
Weiss acknowledged the challenge ahead but expressed confidence in what the organization has.
“We’ve got a long way to go. There’ll be more punches along the way,” Weiss said. “We’ve got some quality arms in this camp. We pick each other up when necessary.”
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