Braves' AJ Smith-Shawver: Undergoes Tommy John surgery
Rotowire
Atlanta announced Monday that Smith-Shawver (elbow) underwent Tommy John surgery and will miss the remainder of the 2025 season.
This was the expected outcome after Smith-Shawver was diagnosed with a torn UCL in his pitching elbow, which he suffered May 29. Smith-Shawver was placed on the 60-day injured list the following day and is looking at a lengthy rehab. Prior to his injury, Smith-Shawver (3-2) made nine starts for Atlanta this season, registering a 3.86 ERA and 42:21 K:BB across 44.1 innings of work. Grant Holmes and Bryce Elder round out Atlanta's rotation behind Chris Sale, Spencer Strider and Spencer Schwellenbach. Fellow starter Reynaldo Lopez (shoulder) remains on the 60-day IL.
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Braves' AJ Smith-Shawver: Expecting surgery later in week
Rotowire
Smith-Shawver is meeting with orthopedic surgeon Keith Meister on Thursday and is expected to undergo Tommy John surgery later in the week, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.
Smith-Shawver has officially been diagnosed with a torn UCL in his right elbow, though the team is still awaiting confirmation that he'll require Tommy John surgery. Once he meets with Dr. Meister, the right-hander will presumably go under the knife shortly after in an effort to begin his rehab as quickly as possible for a potential return during the second half of the 2026 campaign.
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Braves' AJ Smith-Shawver: Diagnosed with torn UCL
Rotowire
Atlanta manager Brian Snitker said Friday that Smith-Shawver has been diagnosed with a torn UCL in his right elbow, Grant McAuley of the Marietta Daily Journal reports.
Atlanta placed Smith-Shawver landed on the 15-day injured list Thursday, after team doctors determined that he had sustained a right elbow strain during his start earlier that day in the first game of a doubleheader versus the Phillies. After further evaluation, it was apparent that Smith-Shawver was headed for a long-term absence, so Atlanta transferred him to the 60-day IL on Friday. With UCL damage in his elbow having now been confirmed, Smith-Shawver will require a surgical procedure, though Snitker noted that it hasn't been determined whether the right-hander would require Tommy John surgery or another type of procedure. Surgery of any kind would almost certainly spell an end to Smith-Shawver's season while also affecting his availability for the start of the 2026 campaign. Bryce Elder will be called up from Triple-A Gwinnett to join the rotation as a replacement for Smith-Shawver, who will finish the 2025 season with a 3-2 record to go with a 3.86 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 42:21 K:BB across 44.1 innings.
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Braves' AJ Smith-Shawver: Shifts to 60-day IL
Rotowire
Atlanta transferred Smith-Shawver (elbow) to the 60-day injured list Friday.
The right-hander landed on the 15-day IL after suffering an elbow strain during the first game of Thursday's doubleheader against the Phillies, and his quick move to the 60-day IL is an indication it isn't a minor issue. The severity of the strain isn't yet known, but Smith-Shawver will be sidelined for at least the next two months.
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Braves' AJ Smith-Shawver: Dealing with elbow injury
Rotowire
Smith-Shawver was placed on the 15-day injured list Thursday with a right elbow strain.
It initially seemed like Smith-Shawver was dealing with a foot/ankle injury after getting hit by a comebacker in the third inning, but the 22-year-old said he felt a pop in his elbow during the game, which could potentially signal a much more serious issue. Manager Brian Snitker said that the right-hander will travel back to Atlanta to undergo imaging but added that "it doesn't look good," per Mark Bowman of MLB.com. Smith-Shawver has been a key contributor for Atlanta's rotation this year, but recent struggles have elevated his ERA to 3.86 to go with a 1.42 WHIP through 44.1 innings this year.
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Braves' AJ Smith-Shawver: Hit by comebacker, exits game
Rotowire
Smith-Shawver was removed from his start in the first game of Thursday's doubleheader against Philadelphia after getting hit in his lower right leg by a comebacker, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. He struck out a batter and gave up two earned runs on three hits and one walk over 2.2 innings prior to his exit.
A 96-mile-per-hour line drive off the bat of Bryson Stott connected with Smith-Shawver's foot/ankle during the third inning. The 22-year-old righty attempted to remain in the game after getting hit but faced just one additional batter before manager Brian Snitker pulled the plug on him. Atlanta will presumably take a look at the young starter to make sure he didn't suffer any structural damage, and the team should offer an update on his status relatively soon.
Braves' AJ Smith-Shawver: Atlanta-Philadelphia postponed
Rotowire
Smith-Shawver and Atlanta will not play the Phillies on Wednesday after the game was postponed due to rain, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.
Smith-Shawver will have a second consecutive start postponed, with his May 21 outing also getting pushed back a day due to rain in Washington. Wednesday's contest will be made up Thursday, as Atlanta and Philadelphia will play a split doubleheader. Per Mark Bowman of MLB.com, Smith-Shawver will pitch in Game 1.
Braves' AJ Smith-Shawver: Bad outing versus Nationals
Rotowire
Smith-Shawver allowed seven runs on eight hits and three walks while striking out one over three-plus innings in a no-decision versus Washington on Thursday.
Smith-Shawver's start was pushed back a day after Wednesday's rainout, and he didn't pitch well. The right-hander endured his worst start of the season, with the second and fourth innings being particularly troublesome. One silver lining was that he didn't allow a home run, but this start was discouraging after he'd allowed just two runs (one earned) across his first 19.2 innings in May. He's now at a 3.67 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 41:20 K:BB through 41.2 innings over eight starts this season. Smith-Shawver's next outing is projected to be at Philadelphia, which is a tough matchup but one that will allow fantasy managers to see if he can bounce back effectively.
Braves' AJ Smith-Shawver: Atlanta-Washington postponed
Rotowire
Smith-Shawver and Atlanta won't play the Nationals on Wednesday after the game was postponed due to rain in Washington.
The two teams will make up the postponed game Sept. 16 as part of a doubleheader. Smith-Shawver's start has been pushed back a day to Thursday's series finale in Washington, per Gabe Burns of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Braves' AJ Smith-Shawver: Throws six strong innings
Rotowire
Smith-Shawver (3-2) picked up the win Thursday against the Nationals, allowing one unearned run on two hits and two walks across six innings. He struck out six.
The only damage against Smith-Shawver came in the sixth inning, when a two-out fielding error by Austin Riley allowed CJ Abrams to score from second base. It was another excellent start from the 22-year-old, who's allowed just one earned run in his last 19.2 innings. On the year, Smith-Shawver has a 2.33 ERA and a 40:17 K:BB across 38.2 innings. He's in line to make his next start Thursday for a road matchup against Washington.
Braves' AJ Smith-Shawver: Fans seven in no-decision
Rotowire
Smith-Shawver came away with a no-decision in Saturday's 3-2 extra-innings win over the Pirates, allowing one run on five hits and two walks over 5.2 innings. He struck out seven.
The 22-year-old righty fell one out short of his second straight quality start, getting the hook after 97 pitches (59 strikes) with Atlanta nursing a 2-1 lead, but the bullpen wasn't able to get him his third straight win. Smith-Shawver has been outstanding since rejoining the big-league rotation in late April, posting a 1.42 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 17:7 K:BB over 19 innings, but it's not yet clear what the team intends to do with him once Spencer Strider (hamstring) is ready to return. Smith-Shawver lines up to get at least one more turn in a home start against the Nationals next week.
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Player Bio
HT/WT: 6-3, 205 lbs
Birthplace: Fort Worth, TX
Age: 22
Experience: R
Bats/Throws: R, R
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