Atlanta – AJ Smith-ShawverThe Roookie campaign of year NL of the year ended when he heard his right elbow on the elbow just a few moments after being struck in the right heel by the return of Bryson Stott online during a 5-4 defeat against phillies During the first match of a double-headed Thursday afternoon at the Citizens Bank Park.
Smith-Shawver underwent an MRI exam that shows that he has a torn UCL. The 22 -year -old launcher has not learned if he would undergo Tommy John surgery or the internal agitation procedure, which requires about six months of less rehabilitation. Whatever the procedure, the rest of this season will be missing and at least the first two months of the 2026 season.
Smith-Shawver felt his pop elbow a few moments after he was allowed to continue to shed after his heel was struck by Stott’s return to 96.6 MPH. He faced an additional striker, Trea Turner, who ended a four -step blow with a flight on the left field.
“I don’t think that has anything to do with (the comebacker),” said manager Brian Snitker. “I think it’s just a by-product of his speed. It was very, very good. I think it was just something that was intended to happen.”
Smith-Shawver launched the second fastest land (99.6 MPH) in his career in Turner during the first round and he has an average of 97.1 MPH with the 21 fast-seam balls he launched on Thursday. This marked the third consecutive start, Smith-Shawver produced a new average career speed with its quick ball. It was on average 96.8 MPH against the Nationals the 15 and 96.9 MPH when he launched the Nationals Park on May 22.
Smith-Shawver always seemed good when its first eight fast bullets in the third round varied between 96.7 and 98.7 MPH. The speed fell with the only quick shot in Stott, the 95.8 MPH quick ball it dotted the Smith-Shawver shoe.
The brave launcher jumped on the left side of the mound, briefly broken, threw some warm -up throws and continued the pitch. His next land in Turner was timed at 95.9 MPH, a tick higher than the terrain he threw in Stott. Smith-Shawver concluded its outing with fast balls that recorded 94.7 MPH and 94.2 MPH.
“This is generally what is happening,” said Snitker. “A guy will launch land and there is no warning or something like that. Then they feel something.”
Smith-Shawver was not present after the match to indicate exactly when he felt pop in his elbow. He seemed to start shaking his arm during the appearance of the Turner plate.
“He said,” I felt it had on a field in Turner, “said Snitker. “I did not know if he meant his arm, or I thought that maybe his Achilles or his foot bother him.”
Smith-Shawver posted a 1.08 MPM in its first four departures after spending most of the last two weeks in April in Triple-A. Even after granting seven points deserved in three rounds against the Nationals last week, he still entered Thursday with an MPM of 3.67 at eight departures.
“It stinks,” said the receiver of the Braves, Sean Murphy. “He launched the ball well.”
