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Braves starter Spencer Strider to undergo MRI following rough outing

Atlanta Braves ace Spencer Strider will undergo an MRI. (Photo by Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire)

Atlanta Braves ace Spencer Strider will undergo an MRI on his pitching arm following a rough start against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday night.

The right-hander experienced discomfort in his elbow, manager Brian Snitker told reporters following a 6-5 Braves victory in 10 innings at Truist Park. Strider allowed five earned runs on seven hits in four innings on the mound for Atlanta. He’ll get the imaging on his elbow done on Saturday morning, Snitker said.

Strider made just his second start of the year on Friday after facing the Phillies on Opening Day last Friday. He allowed two runs in five innings as Atlanta took down Philadelphia and its No. 1 starter Zack Wheeler at Citizens Bank Park.

Losing Strider to injury would be a huge blow to the Braves’ pitching staff. The 25-year-old is one of the game’s best; he led the major leagues with 20 wins and 281 strikeouts last season on his way to a fourth-place finish in National League Cy Young voting.

The Braves (4-2) missing Strider for any significant stretch of time could have serious implications within the National League East division race. It’s super early, but the Phillies (3-4) currently trail Atlanta for first place by 1.5 games.