ATLANTA (AP) — Atlanta Braves right-hander Spencer Strider will be shut down from throwing for four weeks because of inflammation in his right elbow, the team announced Monday.
Strider, who had been placed on the 15-day injured list Saturday, had a consultation with Dr. Keith Meister before they decided on four weeks. Strider will have another MRI at the end of that period and would begin “throwing progression” if test were to show the inflammation had cleared, the team said.
Strider left Friday's 7-5 loss at the New York Mets in the fourth inning due to right shoulder and elbow soreness. Braves manager Walt Weiss said the team also was concerned about a dramatic decline in Strider's velocity.
Strider has a history of arm problems. He underwent Tommy John surgery in 2019 and had the UCL in his right elbow repaired with an internal brace in April 2024.
Rookie right-hander JR Ritchie, who pitched in relief behind Strider on Friday, will move into the rotation and has been scheduled to start Wednesday night's game against San Francisco.
Strider allowed six hits, including three homers, and a season-worst seven earned runs in three innings on Friday.
Strider was making his eighth start of the season for the first-place Braves after missing the first 34 games recovering from a strained left oblique. He is 4-2 with a 5.31 ERA this season.
Strider led the major leagues with 20 wins and an Atlanta-record 281 strikeouts in 2023.
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Atlanta Braves' Spencer Strider (99) pitches during the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Friday, June 12, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Eduardo Munoz Alvarez) CORRECTION: Atlanta Braves is correct instead of St. Louis Cardinals
Atlanta Braves pitcher Spencer Strider delivers to a Pittsburgh Pirates batter during the first inning of a baseball game, Saturday, June 6, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)
ATLANTA (AP) — So much for a supersized World Cup diluting the quality of soccer’s biggest tournament.
Tiny Cape Verde, making its debut at the World Cup, pulled off a stunning upset to shut out heavily favored Spain in a 0-0 draw on Monday.
“This means everything for our country," said Cape Verde coach Pedro Leitão Brito. “We have always said that we wanted everybody to see our country, our team and we have shown organization and braveness and this is proof of what our country is about — resilience and to try to overcome hardships.”
European champion Spain is one of the favorites to win the tournament and was -1200 to beat Cape Verde in its opening game. But it could not find a way past a 40-year-old goalkeeper and a stubborn defense that had an answer to everything Spain’s superstars threw at them.
Not even sensational teenager Lamine Yamal, who came in off the bench in the second half, could turn a game that ended with wild and emotional celebrations from Cape Verde players and fans inside the stadium.
“A dream" was how Cape Verde defender Steven Moreira described it.
Veteran goalkeeper Vozinha broke down in tears after the final whistle following his impressive performance to keep Spain at bay.
He was the player of the match, pulling off a string of saves at the end of the first half to deny Ferran Torres, Pedri and Aymeric Laporte.
The closest Spain came to finding a breakthrough was when Torres struck the bar shortly before halftime.
“We should have won today’s match with everything that happened, with all the favorable situations we created, but we lacked freshness and a clinical edge," said Spain coach Luis de la Fuente, who had warned before the match that Cape Verde could be one of the surprise teams of the World Cup.
Spain could have been the victim of an even bigger upset when Diney Borges had a late chance to win the game, but saw his header saved by Spain keeper Unai Simon.
Cape Verde's performance rebuked some of the criticisms that the expansion of the World Cup from 32 teams to 48 would weaken the tournament.
A group of islands with around half a million inhabitants is the third smallest nation to qualify for the tournament. And even against a Spain team that is filled with superstar players, Cape Verde proved its worth on soccer's biggest stage.
“All of us, we are happy because we work a lot to be here. We deserve to be here," said Vozinha.
The 2010 champion Spain is aiming to win the World Cup for a second time, but a disappointing start echoes its performances in recent tournaments when it has failed to advance beyond the round of 16 in each of the last three editions.
“What doubts do you think my team is going to have? Zero doubts," said De la Fuente. “We know how difficult this competition is. The idea we need to follow is what took us here and what made us European champions.”
Spain plays Saudi Arabia on Sunday and Cape Verde faces Uruguay.
James Robson is at https://x.com/jamesalanrobson
AP World Cup: https://apnews.com/fifa-world-cup
Cape Verde wave to fans after a 0-0 draw during the World Cup Group H soccer match between Spain and Cape Verde in Atlanta, Monday, June 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Cabo Verde goalkeeper Vozinha, left, reacts after the World Cup Group H soccer match between Spain and Cape Verde in Atlanta, Monday, June 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)
Cabo Verde's Dailon Livramento, center, and Cabo Verde's Sidny Lopes Cabral celebrate after the World Cup Group H soccer match between Spain and Cape Verde in Atlanta, Monday, June 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)
Spain's Lamine Yamal (19) controls the ball against Cape Verde's Willy Semedo (17) during the World Cup Group H soccer match between Spain and Cape Verde in Atlanta, Monday, June 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Spain's Lamine Yamal (19) moves the ball during the World Cup Group H soccer match between Spain and Cape Verde in Atlanta, Monday, June 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha (1) makes a save during the World Cup Group H soccer match between Spain and Cape Verde in Atlanta, Monday, June 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Cabo Verde's Jovane Cabral shoots by Spain's Gavi during the World Cup Group H soccer match between Spain and Cape Verde in Atlanta, Monday, June 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)
Spain's Mikel Oyarzabal, left, and Cabo Verde's Sidny Lopes Cabral fight for the ball during the World Cup Group H soccer match between Spain and Cape Verde in Atlanta, Monday, June 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)
Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha (1) makes a save during the World Cup Group H soccer match between Spain and Cape Verde in Atlanta, Monday, June 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Cape Verde fans cheer during the World Cup Group H soccer match between Spain and Cape Verde in Atlanta, Monday, June 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)
Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha (1) makes a save during the World Cup Group H soccer match between Spain and Cape Verde in Atlanta, Monday, June 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
