Braves Place Strider on IL with Elbow Inflammation, Call Up Anthony Molina

The Atlanta Braves placed right-hander Spencer Strider on the 15-day injured list due to inflammation in his throwing elbow. The move came after Strider was removed from Friday’s 7-5 loss to the New York Mets in the fourth inning. Right-hander Anthony Molina was recalled from Triple-A to fill the roster spot.

Strider was charged with seven runs over three innings (plus one batter) in his most recent start. He walked MJ Melendez to begin the fourth inning, prompting a visit from a team trainer. Manager Walt Weiss told MLB.com’s JR Ritchie and other reporters that Strider would undergo an MRI, and the quick IL placement suggests a more serious issue.

Strider’s injury history has been a major concern this season. After an All-Star 2023 campaign, he was sidelined for nearly the entire 2024 season and the first few weeks of 2025 due to internal brace surgery. A subsequent hamstring strain pushed his return further back. In 2026, Strider didn’t make his season debut until May 3 due to an oblique injury.

Through eight starts and 39 innings in 2026, Strider has a 5.31 ERA and a 4.09 SIERA. His strikeout rate remains elite at 27.9%, but his walk rate is high at 12.1%. He has also allowed nine home runs in a small sample. Strider’s four-seam fastball is averaging just 95.1 mph, well below the elite velocity he showed before UCL surgery.

The Braves are currently in first place in the NL East with a 45-24 record, but Strider’s inconsistency has been a rare negative. Early-season injuries thinned the rotation depth, and Strider’s latest IL stint could test Atlanta’s depth again. JR Ritchie, who threw five shutout innings in relief of Strider on Friday, could be bumped into the rotation. Alternatively, Reynaldo Lopez might be stretched into a starting role.

Hurston Waldrep was activated from the 60-day IL and optioned to Triple-A to continue building strength after elbow surgery in February. Spencer Schwellenbach, who had similar surgery at the same time, is not expected back until after the All-Star break. AJ Smith-Shawver, recovering from Tommy John surgery in June 2025, is also expected to return around the same time.

The Braves will need to quickly adjust their rotation ahead of their next game. Strider will undergo further evaluation, while Molina brings experience to the major league roster. Atlanta will aim to maintain its grip on first place despite the rotation shakeup.