AJ Smith-Shawver
Bats: RThrows: RAge: 22Season: 2025
2025 Season Stats
ERA
4.00
W-L
3-2
IP
42.7
SO
42
WHIP
0.00
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13 articles
ATL • Pitcher • #32
5 months ago
This was always the expectation, but now it’s official. Smith-Shawver might be able to return down the stretch next season, but his rehab would have to go swimmingly.
Source: David O’Brien
ATL • Pitcher • #32
5 months ago
The latter option is a less-invasive surgical procedure and typically results in a much faster return to pitching as opposed to a full reconstructive operation. The 22-year-old top pitching prospect was diagnosed with a torn UCL in his right elbow last week and is likely to be sidelined until the second half of the 2026 season, even if it winds up being an internal brace procedure.
Source: Mark Bowman
ATL • Pitcher • #32
6 months ago
We already knew that the news wasn’t going to be good when Smith-Shawver was transferred to the 60-day injured list on Friday and now we get the unfortunate diagnosis. It has yet to be determined whether the 22-year-old hurler will undergo the traditional Tommy John reconstructive surgery or whether he’ll get the internal brace procedure which could speed up his recovery timeline a bit. Either way, he’ll miss the remainder of the 2025 season and a large chunk of the 2026 season as well while recovering.
Source: Mark Bowman
ATL • Pitcher • #32
6 months ago
We already knew that the news wasn’t going to be good when Smith-Shawver was transferred to the 60-day injured list on Friday and now we get the unfortunate diagnosis. It has yet to be determined whether the 22-year-old hurler will undergo the traditional Tommy John reconstructive surgery or whether he’ll get the internal brace procedure which could speed up his recovery timeline a bit. Either way, he’ll miss the remainder of the 2025 season and a large chunk of the 2026 season as well while recovering.
Source: Mark Bowman
ATL • Pitcher • #32
6 months ago
The Braves haven’t updated Smith-Shawver’s status yet, but it’s obviously not good that the team is already putting him on the 60-day IL one day after he got hurt. He’ll be eligible to return at the end of July.
ATL • Pitcher • #32
6 months ago
Smith-Shawver felt a “pop” in his right elbow during the first game of Thursday’s doubleheader against the Phillies and it’s certainly discouraging to see him already land on the injured list before the nightcap. He’s still being evaluated so there’s no word yet on what the actual injury is or how long he’ll be sidelined for — it’ll be a couple of weeks at an absolute minimum though. Michael Petersen was recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett in a corresponding move.
ATL • Pitcher • #32
6 months ago
Smith-Shawver’s exit appeared to be due to him being hit by a comebacker, but that doesn’t appear to be the case. The right-hander will need to undergo testing to determine the severity of the injury, but this is obviously a much more serious issue than a potential foot injury.
Source: Mark Bowman
ATL • Pitcher • #32
6 months ago
Smith-Shawver initially stayed in the game, but he faced just one batter before being pulled. The 22-year-old was hit in the foot area by a 96 mph liner from Bryson Stott. Smith-Shawver will assuredly undergo testing/imaging to determine the next steps.
Source: Justin Toscano
ATL • Pitcher • #32
6 months ago
Smith-Shawver gave up two base hits to start the second inning and left both runners stranded by striking out the next three batters. Two walks and a base hit put the Pirates on the board with one run in the third. He would pitch into the sixth, leaving with two outs and two runners on at 97 pitches -- 59 for strikes. Smith-Shawver struck out seven on 13 whiffs. The 22-year-old right-hander will look to keep it going when it takes a 2.76 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, and a 34/15 K/BB ratio across 32 2/3 innings into a start against the Nationals in Atlanta on Thursday.
ATL • Pitcher • #32
6 months ago
Santiago Espinal’s single leading off the eighth was the Reds’ only hit of the game. Still, it’s hard to say that Smith-Shawver was dominant. He finished the night with five strikeouts and four walks, and 10 of the 19 balls in play against him were hit hard. Obviously, the performance was just what the Braves needed, but Smith-Shawver is probably not a regular mixed-league starter right now. He can be used this weekend against the Pirates, though.
ATL • Pitcher • #32
6 months ago
Smith-Shawver left Tuesday’s start after being hit in the elbow against the Rockies, but the 22-year-old will be ready to roll after throwing Saturday. The right-hander has been so-so in 2025, but does offer fantasy upside in the long-term.
Source: Mark Bowman
ATL • Pitcher • #32
7 months ago
There’s still some runway for Atlanta to reverse course, but it appears they’re choosing to keep Bryce Elder and Grant Holmes in the rotation over Smith-Shawver with ace Spencer Strider set to make his highly-anticipated season debut on Wednesday against the Blue Jays. The 22-year-old prospect has recorded a strong 26.2 percent strikeout rate along with a respectable 4.61 ERA across 13 2/3 innings (three starts) this season in the majors. He’s a bit underrated from a fantasy standpoint since he hasn’t put together a sustained breakthrough at the highest level, but he’s still extremely young and talented.
ATL • Pitcher • #32
7 months ago
Smith-Shawver surrendered a solo homer to Junior Caminero in the first inning. He got into some trouble in the third, walking a run in with the bases loaded before escaping the jam with two straight strikeouts. The 22-year-old right-hander settled in for three more scoreless innings, striking out seven in his best start in the early season. He’ll draw a matchup against the Twins in Atlanta on Friday.