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.
MLB.com's 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.
The injury occurred during Smith-Shawver's start on Thursday against the Philadelphia Phillies.