Atlanta Braves right-hander Spencer Strider will undergo further evaluation after it was revealed that he has a damaged ulnar collateral ligament (UCL), commonly known as the Tommy John surgery ligament. Strider reported discomfort in his elbow during Friday night's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, prompting the team to investigate further.

According to MLB.com's Mark Bowman, Strider's MRI revealed the extent of the damage to the UCL in his right elbow. The 25-year-old pitcher, who previously underwent Tommy John surgery in 2019, will be evaluated by renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. Keith Meister in Arlington, Texas, at a later date.

"It wasn't good," said Braves manager Brian Snitker, referring to Strider's MRI results. The severity of the tear will determine the course of treatment, whether it necessitates a second Tommy John surgery or if the less invasive internal brace procedure will be sufficient. Rehabilitation is also a potential option, depending on the extent of the injury.

Strider's performance on Friday night's game was uncharacteristic, as his fastball velocity was noticeably diminished. Averaging 95.9 mph, it was half a tick lower than his previous start and significantly below his average from the previous season. Along with reduced effectiveness, Strider allowed five runs on seven hits and three walks over four innings pitched.

Manager Brian Snitker initially thought it was just an off night for Strider, but the pitcher expressed discomfort in his elbow after the game. This raised concerns among the coaching staff and prompted further investigation.

Strider, who is currently in his third full big-league season, has established himself as one of the Braves' top starting pitchers. With a career 3.37 ERA and a 4.63 strikeout-to-walk ratio, he finished fourth in National League Cy Young Award voting last season.

Even if he avoids surgery, the UCL damage indicates that Strider is likely to be sidelined for an extended period. The Braves have several options to fill his rotation spot, including young right-hander AJ Smith-Shawver, 2023 All-Star Bryce Elder, and other pitchers with MLB starting experience such as Dylan Dodd, Allan Winans, and Huascar Ynoa.

The Braves, who trailed for most of Friday night's game, managed to force extra innings by mounting a late comeback. Eventually, they secured their fourth victory of the season in the 10th inning, with a game-winning run driven in by Travis d'Arnaud.

The Braves will continue their series against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Saturday, but their focus will undoubtedly be on Strider's condition and the impact his absence will have on the team's pitching rotation moving forward.