AJ Smith-Shawver Faces Torn UCL Diagnosis: Implications and Recovery Insights

Braves pitcher AJ Smith-Shawver has a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his throwing elbow, according to reports from Mark Bowman of MLB.com. He is likely to miss the rest of this season and part of 2026. The team is still deciding between Tommy John surgery and an internal brace procedure.

This news is tough but not unexpected. Smith-Shawver started a game against the Phillies recently but had to leave early after feeling a pop in his elbow. He was placed on the 15-day injured list and later moved to the 60-day list, signaling that his injury was serious.

This season, Smith-Shawver pitched 44.1 innings over nine games with a 3.86 ERA. The injuries are a setback for him as he was establishing himself as a valuable player in the league.

The Braves have now lost two starters. Reynaldo López had shoulder surgery earlier this year and may return only late in the season.

To fill the gap, Bryce Elder will start on Sunday. He had a solid 3.81 ERA over 31 games last year. However, he struggled in 2024, with a 6.52 ERA over ten starts. This year, he has a 4.50 ERA in eight major league games, and an 8.76 ERA at Triple-A.

If Elder doesn’t perform well, the team has options. Other pitchers like Hurston Waldrep, Nathan Wiles, and Davis Daniel are available. Even though Ian Anderson and José Suarez aren’t on the 40-man roster, they have major league experience as well.

In recent years, Tommy John surgery has become more common. According to a 2022 survey by the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, nearly 50% of baseball players face elbow or shoulder problems during their careers. This underscores the need for teams to have depth in their pitching rotations.

In conclusion, overcoming injuries is part of the game. How the Braves adjust will significantly impact their season. Keeping a close eye on Elder and their depth players will be crucial moving forward.

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