The Atlanta Braves could be facing an extended absence from one of their top starters. During Friday’s outing, Spencer Strider exited the game after trainers noticed a decline in his velocity. Following the start, Strider revealed that he had been experiencing discomfort in both his shoulder and elbow.
On Saturday, Atlanta officially placed Strider on the 15-day injured list.
In an announcement posted to social media on June 13, the Braves stated that right-hander Anthony Molina had been recalled to the major league roster, while Strider was sidelined with right elbow inflammation. The club also noted that catcher Drake Baldwin began a rehabilitation assignment with Triple-A Gwinnett.
With Strider now unavailable for the foreseeable future, attention will likely shift toward how Atlanta plans to address its rotation. Whether through internal options or a potential trade, the Braves may need to explore ways to reinforce their pitching staff and compensate for the loss of one of their most important arms.
Recent Braves-Twins Trade Prediction Lands Joe Ryan in Atlanta
FanSided writer Zachary Rotman quickly floated a potential solution for Atlanta’s rotation concerns, suggesting the Braves pursue a trade for Minnesota Twins starter Joe Ryan—a move that could make plenty of sense given the team’s current situation.
According to Rotman, if Minnesota decides to become a seller ahead of the trade deadline, Ryan would likely be one of the most sought-after starting pitchers on the market. He also noted that Atlanta possesses enough pitching depth in its farm system to put together a competitive offer.
In the proposed deal, the Braves would send pitching prospects Hurston Waldrep and Owen Murphy to Minnesota in exchange for Ryan. The veteran right-hander, who earned an MLB All-Star selection in 2025, has continued to perform at a high level and would immediately strengthen Atlanta’s rotation.
Both Waldrep and Murphy remain in the minor leagues. Waldrep made a brief appearance with the Braves at the major-league level last season, while Murphy has steadily climbed through the organization’s prospect ranks and remains one of the club’s more intriguing young arms.
Joe Ryan’s Fit with the Braves
Joe Ryan’s potential role in Atlanta would be straightforward: joining Chris Sale at the top of the Braves’ rotation and forming one of the National League’s stronger pitching duos.
While Atlanta’s starting staff has generally performed well this season, injuries have created additional uncertainty and increased the burden on pitchers such as Grant Holmes, Martin Perez, and Bryce Elder to consistently deliver quality outings.
Should the Braves acquire Ryan, he would immediately project as a key piece of the rotation and a natural fit behind Sale. His presence would provide Atlanta with another dependable frontline starter as the club navigates the second half of the season.
Ryan has been highly effective in 2026, posting a 3.17 ERA with 91 strikeouts across 82.1 innings. Although he may not receive the same attention as some of the league’s bigger names, he has quietly established himself as one of baseball’s most reliable and durable starting pitchers. His long-term status remains uncertain, but Ryan is under team control through the 2027 season before becoming eligible for free agency.
As the trade deadline draws closer, Atlanta is expected to remain connected to a variety of starting pitching targets, particularly if concerns about the rotation’s health continue to linger.
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