Latest news with #AJSmith-Shawver
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Braves rookie AJ Smith-Shawver tore UCL in injury Spencer Strider appeared to catch
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher AJ Smith-Shawver will miss the remainder of the 2025 season and more with a torn UCL, an injury he sustained under curious circumstances. Mark Bowman reported the diagnosis hours after the Braves placed the Rookie of the Year candidate on the 60-day IL. It has reportedly not been determined if he will undergo Tommy John surgery or the newer internal brace procedure, which requires less rehab time, but both surgeries will knock him out until at least the start of the 2026 season. Advertisement The injury occurred during Smith-Shawver's start on Thursday against the Philadelphia Phillies. He encountered his first misfortune when a 96.6 mph line drive from Bryson Stott hit him in the ankle, but he remained in the game. During his next few pitches to Trea Turner, Smith-Shawver started to wince and shake his arm. The Braves coaching staff only appeared to notice the issue after another pitcher, Spencer Strider, saw what was happening and pointed it out to them. Strider has his own experience with elbow issues, having missed most of 2024 with a torn UCL. Turner flied out on the fourth pitch of the at-bat, and it was only after that when Smith-Shawver reportedly told Snitker he felt a "pop" in his elbow. Smith-Shawver's velocity was dropping significantly while all that was happening. His last pitch to Stott was a 95.8 mph four-seamer, a tick below every other four-seamer he had thrown that day. The velocity kept dropping against Turner, with his four-seamer going from 95.9 mph to 94.7 mph to 94.2 mph on the final pitch. AJ Smith-Shawver's Rookie of the Year campaign is officially over. (Photo by Abdoul Sow/MLB Photos via Getty Images) (Abdoul Sow via Getty Images) Whether Braves coaches should have been more proactive — or aware — of Smith-Shawver's troubles, the 22-year-old is a notable loss for a team trying to recover from a slow start. Smith-Shawver was ranked as the No. 83 overall prospect by Baseball America entering this season and was off to a strong enough start that he was third in BetMGM's NL Rookie of the Year odds as of Thursday. Now, the Braves will have to wait until next year, at least, to see him on the mound again.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Braves rookie AJ Smith-Shawver tore UCL in injury that Spencer Strider appeared to catch
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher AJ Smith-Shawver will miss the remainder of the 2025 season and more with a torn UCL, an injury he sustained under curious circumstances. Mark Bowman reported the diagnosis hours after the Braves placed the Rookie of the Year candidate on the 60-day IL. It has reportedly not been determined if he will undergo Tommy John surgery or the newer internal brace procedure, which requires less rehab time, but both surgeries will knock him until at least the start of the 2026 season. Advertisement The injury occurred during Smith-Shawver's start on Thursday against the Philadelphia Phillies. He encountered his first misfortune when a 96.6 mph line drive from Bryson Stott hit him in the ankle, but he remained in the game. During his next few pitches to Trea Turner, Smith-Shawver started to wince and shake his arm. The Braves coaching staff only appeared to notice the issue after another pitcher, Spencer Strider, saw what was happening and pointed it out to them. Strider has his own experience with elbow issues, having missed most of 2024 with a torn UCL. Turner flied out on the fourth pitch of the at-bat, and it was only after that when Smith-Shawver reportedly told Snitker he felt a "pop" in his elbow. Smith-Shawver's velocity was dropping significantly while all that was happening. His last pitch to Stott was a 95.8 mph four-seamer, a tick below every other four-seamer he had thrown that day. The velocity kept dropping against Turner, with his four-seamer going from 95.9 mph to 94.7 mph to 94.2 mph on the final pitch. AJ Smith-Shawver's Rookie of the Year campaign is officially over. (Photo by Abdoul Sow/MLB Photos via Getty Images) (Abdoul Sow via Getty Images) Whether or not the Braves coaches should have been more proactive — or aware — with Smith-Shawver's troubles, the 22-year-old is a notable loss for a team trying to recover from a slow start. Smith-Shawver was ranked as the No. 83 prospect in baseball by Baseball America entering this season, and was off to a strong enough start that he was third in BetMGM's NL Rookie of the Year odds as of Thursday. Now, the Braves will have to wait until next year, at least, to see him on the mound again.
New York Post
3 days ago
- Sport
- New York Post
Braves' AJ Smith-Shawver diagnosed with torn UCL in rotation crusher
The Braves' starting rotation took a major hit Friday. Atlanta rookie right-hander AJ Smith-Shawver suffered a torn UCL during his start on Thursday and is expected to miss the rest of the season and most of 2026, according to USA Today. reported that the team and Smith-Shawver are still deciding if he'll undergo Tommy John surgery or an internal brace procedure. Advertisement AJ Smith-Shawver of the Atlanta Braves leaves the mound in the third inning during the game between the Atlanta Braves and the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on Thursday, May 29, 2025. MLB Photos via Getty Images Smith-Shawver, 22, reportedly heard his throwing arm pop shortly after getting hit on the foot by Phillies infielder Bryson Stott's line-drive comebacker. He would stay in the game to face Trea Turner but looked noticeably uncomfortable throughout the at-bat before exiting after retiring him on a fly ball to left field. Advertisement After the game, Braves manager Brian Snitker admitted, 'It doesn't look good.' 'I don't think it had anything to do with [the line drive],' Snitker told reporters. '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.' The hard-throwing 22-year-old has been solid for the Braves this season, going 3-2 in nine starts with a 3.86 ERA and 42 strikeouts in 44 ⅓ innings. Atlanta Braves' AJ Smith-Shawver pitches during the second inning in the first baseball game of a doubleheader against the Philadelphia Phillies Thursday, May 29, 2025, in Philadelphia. AP Advertisement 'It stinks,' Braves catcher Sean Murphy said after the game. 'He's been throwing the ball well.' Smith-Shawver has been one of the top pitching prospects in Atlanta's system in recent years after being drafted in the seventh round out of Colleyville Heritage High School (Texas) in 2021. The injury is a major loss for the Braves, who are a disappointing 26-29, 9 ½ games back of the Phillies in the National League East before heading into their weekend series against the Red Sox.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Braves starting pitcher likely out for rest of season
The Atlanta Braves' pitching rotation took a hit on Friday as the team gave an update on AJ Smith-Shawver's elbow injury. The Braves confirmed Smith-Shawver tore his ulnar collateral ligament and is exploring his surgical options. Advertisement That likely means the rookie pitcher is out for the rest of the season. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Smith-Shawver left early during the first game of the Braves' doubleheader against the Phillies. The pitcher took a 96.6 mph line drive to his right ankle, but when Brian Snitker and the trainers went to the mound, he said he felt a 'pop' in his elbow. The Braves placed him on the injured list before the second game. 'It doesn't look good,' Snitker said between games. Smith-Shawver is 3-2 with a 3.86 ERA in nine starts this season with a 42-21 strike-to-walk ratio. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Braves RHP AJ Smith-Shawver diagnosed with torn UCL, placed on 60-day injured list
Atlanta Braves pitcher AJ Smith-Shawver walks to the dugout after being pulled during the third inning in the first baseball game of a doubleheader against the Philadelphia Phillies Thursday, May 29, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum) Atlanta Braves' AJ Smith-Shawver pitches during the second inning in the first baseball game of a doubleheader against the Philadelphia Phillies Thursday, May 29, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum) Atlanta Braves' AJ Smith-Shawver pitches during the second inning in the first baseball game of a doubleheader against the Philadelphia Phillies Thursday, May 29, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum) Atlanta Braves pitcher AJ Smith-Shawver walks to the dugout after being pulled during the third inning in the first baseball game of a doubleheader against the Philadelphia Phillies Thursday, May 29, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum) Atlanta Braves' AJ Smith-Shawver pitches during the second inning in the first baseball game of a doubleheader against the Philadelphia Phillies Thursday, May 29, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum) ATLANTA (AP) — Atlanta Braves rookie right-hander AJ Smith-Shawver has a torn UCL in his pitching elbow, the team said Friday. Smith-Shawver left Thursday's 5–4 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. Advertisement '(His evaluation) showed a tear on his imaging,' Braves manager Brian Snitker said before Atlanta opened a three-game series against Boston. '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. Advertisement Smith-Shawver is 3-2 with a 3.86 ERA in nine starts and 44 1/3 innings, striking out 42 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.' ___ AP MLB:
