ATLANTA -- Atlanta Braves rookie right-hander AJ Smith-Shawver has a torn UCL in his pitching elbow, which means he will miss the rest of the season and likely the start of 2026.
Smith-Shawver left Thursday's 5-4 road loss to the Philadelphia Phillies in a doubleheader opener and said he felt a "pop." The 22-year-old was initially placed on the 15-day injured list before being moved to the 60-day IL on Friday.
"(His evaluation) showed a tear on his imaging," Braves manager Brian Snitker said before Friday's home game against the Boston Red Sox. "He'll consult with the physicians or doctors, and they'll decide what the next step is."
Snitker said he didn't know if Smith-Shawver would need Tommy John surgery.
On Thursday, Smith-Shawver appeared to say "pop" toward Snitker after a third-inning pitch to Trea Turner. He gave up a go-ahead, two-run homer to Rafael Marchán, then took a 96.6 mph line drive off his right ankle on a a ball hit by Bryson Stott with one out.
Smith-Shawver threw a warmup pitch and stayed in the game, then left after wincing while allowing a flyout to Turner on the fourth pitch of the at-bat.
Smith-Shawver was 3-2 with a 3.86 ERA in nine starts and 44 1/3 innings this season, striking out 42 batters and walking 21.
"It's tough for all (young pitchers) when it happens," Snitker said. "Especially where he was, feeling good about himself and throwing good."