Braves’ AJ Smith-Shawver to undergo surgery next week, extent remains unknown
Braves pitcher AJ Smith-Shawver will have surgery on his elbow next week, the organization confirmed on Thursday. The extent of the procedure — whether he undergoes Tommy John surgery or gets an internal brace similar to teammate Spencer Strider — remains unknown.
Smith-Shawver suffered the injury, which was later revealed to be a torn ulnar collateral ligament, on May 29 against the Phillies. He exited the game in the third inning after feeling a pop in his elbow, and an MRI later confirmed the team’s initial fear.
The injury caused a premature ending to a promising season for Smith-Shawver, as the 22-year-old had a 3-2 record with a 3.86 ERA over nine starts. His impressive start to the season, a 2.33 ERA with 40 strikeouts and 17 walks in his first seven outings, earned him a place in the Braves’ rotation.
If Smith-Shawver undergoes Tommy John surgery, his recovery time should be 12-18 months. An internal brace procedure, such as the one Strider underwent in 2024, typically takes pitchers one year to return from.
About the Author
Olivia Sayer joined The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in May 2025 as an intern on the sports beat. She is earning a degree in journalism from the University of Georgia with a minor in sport management and a sports media certificate. Olivia previously held the titles of digital and assistant sports editor at The Red & Black.
