The Atlanta Braves’ miserable season got worse in the opening game of Thursday’s doubleheader against the Philadelphia Phillies. Starting pitcher AJ Smith-Shawver left with an injury in the third inning, and immediately following the game the team placed him on the 15-day injured list with a strained right elbow. In a corresponding move, Michael Petersen was recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett.
The #Braves today placed RHP AJ Smith-Shawver on the 15-day injured list with a strained right elbow and recalled RHP Michael Petersen to Atlanta.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) May 29, 2025
AJ Smith-Shawver Heads to Injured List with Elbow Injury
It was a truly bizarre sequence that began with Bryson Stott drilling Smith-Shawver in the leg with a comebacker. He stayed in to face Trea Turner, but was then removed from the game after just 2 2/3 innings pitched. The initial concern was about a potential bone bruise or fracture where he got hit. However, the Braves media machine was quick to notice Smith-Shawver mouth the words “it popped” to manager Brian Snitker. This led to rampant speculation that something worse could have somehow occurred. It didn’t take long for these fears to be confirmed, although it’s still unclear when the pop actually happened.
#Braves’ AJ Smith-Shawver told Snitker he “felt a pop” and Snitker didn’t know at first if he meant in calf/achilles, but no, it was in the elbow. Not good. He’s headed back to Atlanta this afternoon before the team to get checked out.
— David O’Brien (@DOBrienATL) May 29, 2025
A Crushing Blow
This certainly has the look of a long-term injury, which is terrible for a guy just starting to figure things out in the big leagues. Additionally, the timing couldn’t be worse for a team desperate to get going. The Fort Worth native was the Braves’ seventh-round pick in the 2021 draft, and top pitching prospect entering this season. In eight starts, Smith-Shawver became a leading candidate in the NL Rookie of The Year race and a crucial rotation member, pitching to a 3.67 ERA in 41 2/3 innings on the season. Before a seven-run blowup in his last outing, he had allowed just one run across a three-start stretch. He was set to be counted on heavily down the stretch, and now the Braves rotation is stretched perilously thin. Bryce Elder will likely be recalled to fill AJ Smith-Shawver’s rotation spot.
Photo Credit: © Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
