ATLANTA -- AJ Smith-Shawver's NL Rookie of the Year Award-worthy campaign ended when he heard his right elbow pop just moments after getting hit on the right heel by Bryson Stott’s line-drive comebacker during a 5-4 loss to the Phillies in the first game of a doubleheader on Thursday afternoon at Citizens Bank Park.
Smith-Shawver underwent a MRI exam that shows he has a torn UCL. The 22-year-old pitcher hasn't learned whether he will undergo Tommy John surgery or the internal brace procedure, which requires approximately six months less of rehab. Regardless of the procedure, he will miss the remainder of this season and at least the first two months of the 2026 season.
Smith-Shawver felt his elbow pop moments after he was allowed to continue pitching after his heel was struck by Stott’s 96.6 mph comebacker. He faced one more batter, Trea Turner, who ended a four-pitch at-bat with a flyout to left field.
“I don’t think it had anything to do with [the comebacker],” manager Brian Snitker said. “I think it’s just a byproduct of his velocity. It’s been very, very good. I think it was just something that was destined to happen.”
Smith-Shawver threw the second-fastest pitch (99.6 mph) of his career to Turner in the first inning and he averaged 97.1 mph with the 21 four-seam fastballs he threw on Thursday. This marked the third straight start Smith-Shawver produced a new career-high average velocity with his fastball. He averaged 96.8 mph against the Nationals on May 15 and 96.9 mph when pitching at Nationals Park on May 22.
Smith-Shawver still appeared fine when his first eight fastballs of the third inning ranged between 96.7 to 98.7 mph. The velocity dropped with the only fastball thrown to Stott, the 95.8 mph fastball he dotted off Smith-Shawver’s shoe.
The Braves pitcher hopped to the left side of the mound, limped briefly, threw a couple of warmup pitches and continued pitching. His next pitch to Turner was clocked at 95.9 mph, a tick higher than the pitch he threw to Stott. Smith-Shawver concluded his outing with fastballs that registered 94.7 mph and 94.2 mph.
“That’s usually what happens,” Snitker said. “A guy will throw a pitch and there’s no warning or anything like that. Then they feel something.”
Smith-Shawver was not present postgame to indicate exactly when he felt the pop in his elbow. He seemed to begin shaking his arm during the Turner plate appearance.
“He said, ‘I felt it pop on a pitch to Turner,’” Snitker said. “I didn’t know if he meant his arm, or I thought maybe his Achilles or his foot was bothering him.”
Smith-Shawver posted a 1.08 ERA over his first four starts after spending most of April’s final two weeks at Triple-A. Even after allowing seven earned runs in three innings against the Nationals last week, he still entered Thursday with a 3.67 ERA through eight starts.
“It stinks,” Braves catcher Sean Murphy said. “He’s been throwing the ball well.”