### AJ Smith-Shawver's Season-Ending Injury: A Major Setback for the Braves The Atlanta Braves have suffered a significant blow to their pitching rotation as rookie right-hander AJ Smith-Shawver has been diagnosed with a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his elbow. This injury, confirmed after an MRI, will sideline him for the remainder of the 2025 season and likely extend into the early part of the 2026 season. Smith-Shawver's injury occurred during a game against the Philadelphia Phillies, where he felt a pop in his elbow after being struck by a line drive. The team has placed him on the 60-day injured list, indicating the severity of the situation and the potential need for surgical intervention, which could include Tommy John surgery or an internal brace procedure [https://www.wric.com/sports/sports-illustrated/59634190/braves-standout-rookie-pitcher-aj-smith-shawver-out-for-season-with-torn-ucl, https://nypost.com/2025/05/30/sports/braves-diagnosed-with-torn-ucl-in-rotation-crusher, https://apnews.com/article/braves-smith-shawver-injured-list-elbow-c2af482652f7d17f65f3785939c2fd90]. ### Breakdown of AJ Smith-Shawver's Injury and Its Implications 1. **Injury Details**: - Smith-Shawver exited the game after feeling a pop in his elbow during the third inning against the Phillies. - Initially placed on the 15-day injured list, he was later moved to the 60-day IL following the MRI results confirming a torn UCL [https://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/braves_get_bad_news_on_pitcher_aj_smith_shawver/s1_127_42265444, https://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/braves_pitcher_aj_smith_shawver_gets_devastating_diagnosis/s1_13237_42264841]. 2. **Potential Surgical Options**: - The Braves are considering two surgical options: Tommy John surgery or an internal brace procedure. - Tommy John surgery typically requires a longer recovery time, potentially sidelining him for the entire 2026 season, while the internal brace procedure may allow for a quicker return [https://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/braves_confirm_worst_on_aj_smith_shawver/s1_16493_42264881, https://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/reports_braves_rhp_aj_smith_shawver_out_for_season_with_torn_ucl/s1_17044_42265048]. 3. **Impact on the Team**: - Smith-Shawver was a standout rookie, averaging 97.1 mph on his fastball and showing promise as a key player in the Braves' rotation. - His absence will require the Braves to make adjustments to their pitching lineup, potentially leading to trades or call-ups from the minor leagues [https://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/braves_make_flurry_of_roster_moves_ahead_of_red_sox_series/s1_16493_42264884, https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/atlanta-braves/1-trade-braves-must-make-after-aj-smith-shawver-injury-update]. ### Summary of Findings on AJ Smith-Shawver's Injury **Key Conclusions**: 1. AJ Smith-Shawver's torn UCL is a significant setback for the Atlanta Braves, impacting their pitching rotation for the remainder of the season and potentially into 2026. 2. The decision regarding surgery will be crucial in determining his recovery timeline and future contributions to the team. 3. The Braves will need to adapt their roster to compensate for the loss of a promising young pitcher, which may involve strategic trades or player promotions. In summary, the Braves face a challenging period ahead as they navigate the implications of Smith-Shawver's injury, which not only affects their current season but also raises concerns about their future pitching depth [https://www.ajc.com/sports/2025/05/braves-move-aj-smith-shawver-to-60-day-il-after-apparent-elbow-injury, https://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/braves-smith-shawver-injured-list-elbow-l47217].