Reports: Braves RHP AJ Smith-Shawver out for season with torn UCL

Atlanta right-handed pitcher AJ Smith-Shawver will miss the rest of this season with a torn ulnar collateral ligament, according to multiple reports Friday.

He will likely miss part or potentially all of the 2026 season as well.

Smith-Shawver will reportedly consult with doctors further to determine whether he will undergo Tommy John surgery or an internal brace procedure.

The 22-year-old exited Thursday's start with a right elbow injury after he "felt it pop," according to Braves manager Brian Snitker.

In the third inning of an eventual 5-4 road loss to the Philadelphia Phillies in the first game of a doubleheader, Smith-Shawver was struck in his right ankle by a comebacker off the bat of Bryson Stott. After throwing a warmup pitch, the righty remained in the game before wincing while allowing a flyout to Trea Turner.

"Anytime you hear those words, when they describe soreness and ‘I felt something pop,' then that's usually not real good," Snitker said Thursday.

Smith-Shawver allowed two runs on three hits over 2 2/3 innings of a no-decision before returning to Atlanta for the imaging that revealed the tear.

He was 3-2 with a 3.86 ERA nine starts this season, including a 3-0 record with a 3.52 ERA over his past six starts.

A seventh-round pick by the Braves in the 2021 draft, the Fort Worth, Texas, native started one game last season after starting five in 2023.

--Field Level Media