Atlanta Braves right-hander Spencer Strider will begin the season on the injured list with an oblique strain, the team announced Monday.
Strider, 27, was scratched from Monday’s scheduled spring training start against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Bradenton, Fla. The former All-Star was 2-0 with a 3.24 ERA in three spring appearances (two starts), striking out 11 and walking two in 8 1/3 innings.
Strider is coming off an uneven 2025 season after missing most of 2024 following Tommy John surgery. He finished 7-14 with a 4.45 ERA in 23 starts last season.
He was a National League All-Star and finished fourth in the Cy Young voting in 2023 after leading the majors in wins (20-5) and strikeouts (281) with a 3.86 ERA in 32 starts.
Strider is 39-24 with a 3.74 ERA in 90 career games (77 starts) since making his major league debut in 2021. Atlanta drafted him in the fourth round out of Clemson in 2020.
The Braves open the season on Friday against the visiting Kansas City Royals. Nine-time All-Star left-hander Chris Sale is Atlanta’s Opening Day starter.
Strider’s injury is the latest blow to the pitching staff. Left-hander Joey Wentz is out for the season with a torn right ACL, while right-handers Spencer Schwellenbach and Hurston Waldrep are on the 60-day injured list with elbow injuries.
