The MLB trade deadline is on July 30, which is just a few weeks away, and the Atlanta Braves are currently in a postseason position. The Philadelphia Phillies are presently leading the way in the National League East following a recent run of dominance.

With a lot riding on the performance of their ace and former Clemson Tiger Spencer Strider, the Braves had high expectations for the season. Strider, who entered the season as the NL Cy Young winner, will now miss the whole 2025 MLB season due to Tommy John surgery on his elbow’s UCL. a procedure that was done on April 12 to finish the season.
To effectively remove Strider from the 40-man roster and allow the organization to replace him with a different player until he is ready to return, the team just placed him on the 60-day injury list.

Recovery from Tommy John surgery is not short, especially for pitchers with powerful throws. If all goes according to plan, Strider should return around the start of the following season. The procedure has a very positive prognosis; most pitchers return in a year or less, with no lowered velocity or other issues.