What's happened
The Royals and Braves face injury setbacks as Ragans and Strider head to tests after elbow issues. Ragans has been placed on the injured list after valgus extension overload, while Strider heads for an MRI after velocity drops and a late-game elbow soreness.
What's behind the headline?
Quick take
- Ragans and Strider are dealing with elbow-related injuries, adding to a season of pitching health concerns.
- The Royals and Braves are plugging in internal options while awaiting test results.
What this means for teams
- Kansas City must navigate a rotation shake-up as Ragans is sidelined, potentially increasing reliance on depth arms in upcoming starts.
- Atlanta is moving JR Ritchie into Strider’s rotation and recalling Anthony Molina, signaling a pivot in their pitching plan.
Look ahead
- MRI results will shape whether Ragans returns soon or requires a longer rehabilitation, while Braves’ Baldwin is nearing a return from oblique injury and may rejoin the roster soon.
How we got here
Two pitchers, Cole Ragans of the Kansas City Royals and Spencer Strider of the Atlanta Braves, have encountered elbow-related issues that have disrupted their starts. Ragans was diagnosed with valgus extension overload and is undergoing further testing after a May setback, following an earlier injury-filled season. Strider, recently activated from an oblique injury, left a game with elbow concerns and is undergoing imaging to determine the extent of the issue. Both teams are adjusting rotations, with replacements working into the lineup.
Our analysis
AP News reports detail on Ragans’ and Strider’s injuries, including Quatraro’s and Weiss’s updates. The Royals and Braves are adjusting rotations and reinforcements as MRI and rehab details unfold.
Go deeper
- What are the latest MRI results for Ragans and Strider?
- When might Ragans and Strider return to the mound?
- Who replaces them in the rotation long-term?
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New York Mets - Baseball team
The New York Mets are a Major League Baseball team based in the New York City borough of Queens. They compete in Major League Baseball as a member club of the National League East division.
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Atlanta Braves - Baseball team
The Atlanta Braves are an American professional baseball team based in the Atlanta metropolitan area. They compete in Major League Baseball as a member club of the National League East division.