I dont believe Strider had a traditional TJ surgery- they performed the "brace" procedure which allows them to come back sooner. This is the same procedure that Ohtani just had.

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Not many guys come back and flourish after that. Adding that curveball probably wasn't the best thing on his elbow.

They claim that the fastball is hardest on the arm, but as an old former pitcher myself through high school (Al Bundy Polk High) I found the breaking ball to be much more taxing on my elbow, but I probably had bad mechanics.

John Smoltz came back from TJ surgery 25 years ago, and went to the bullpen, and became a dominant closer. Iglesias has a year left on his contract I believe so It would seem the smartest thing to do would be to let Strider go back to throwing fastballs and sliders, and let him become the next closer.

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Why you tinker with 99mph and that Wipeout slider is beyond me.

Teams started sitting on one or the other with minimal success, but a third pitch definitely would have taken him to new heights.

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Hopefully he can come back. I wouldn't bet on it. Maybe a couple seasons in the bullpen as a set up guy or closer to ease him back in?

I think he'll definitely be back, and because he had the brace instead of full TJ he will be ready for spring ball, and the start of next season instead of being out half of next season.

I couldn't argue with the success Strider was having as a starter, but when he first came up I thought he was the slam dunk long term answer at closer. Eventually the third pitch issue did us in.

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Posted by Gideon Swashbuckler

Member since Sep 2019

5803 posts

Posted on 4/18/24 at 1:58 pm to PowHound

I always saw Strider as a closer. He had success as a starter, but he doesn't get stronger as the game goes on like Randy Johnson or Curt Schilling. He is a 5 inning pitcher. Pitchers want to be starters because of the potential payday. I get it.

I didn't know he had the brace procedure. And while Smoltzie came back from TJ, he only had his arm opened once. The best thing for Stider going forward is to shut him down for the rest of the season and move him to the bullpen. It's easier on the body and mind to throw 1 inning 3 nights in a row than it is to try and throw 6 innings every 5th day. He could be the best closer in the game. He also could come on and give you a 2-3 inning save in October if needed.

The issue then becomes where do the Braves get pitching? This may not be as bad an issue as I once thought. ERA is up around the league and has been trending up. Teams are just scoring more and that is good for TV. So, perhaps having a loaded offense is the way to go. And this offense is LOADED. Ozuna is having the complete opposite 1st month as he did last season. Acuña is well... MVP is going to MVP. Ozzie being out of the lineup didn't slow us down a bit vs Houston. Guillerme is definitely not a long term solution, but he doesn't have to be. Riley and Olson are going to be themselves and if they can get 25 HRs and 80 RBIs from Kelenic/Duval then they have everything they need from an offensive stand point.

The Phillies and Dodgers are still our only threats in the post season in the NL. Philly does it with those 2 stud starters and L.A. can beat you in numerous ways.
Philly is the bigger threat though imho. Philly is built for October because of Nola and Wheeler. The Dodgers don't have that, nor do the Braves. I know he's been black balled but it may be time to give Trevor Bauer's agent a call. Also, call the White Sox and see what it would take to get Crochet. They may want a king's ransom, but if the plan is to put Strider in the pen, it might be worth it to mortgage the farm for Crochet or someone similar in order to win now. Can't be thinking of what this team will look like in 10 years. I mean... what are the odds they'll even be able to keep Acuña and Ozzie and Fried anyway? So, may as well win NOW.

This post was edited on 4/18/24 at 2:06 pm

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