The Rookie of the Year contender was wincing and shaking his arm on the mound. Strider appeared to notice before the Braves coaching staff.

Atlanta Braves rookie right-hander AJ Smith-Shawver has a torn UCL in his pitching elbow and will miss the rest of the season and likely the start of 2026. Smith-Shawver left Thursday’s 5–4 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies in a doubleheader opener and said he felt a “pop.

Atlanta right-handed pitcher AJ Smith-Shawver will miss the rest of this season with a torn ulnar collateral ligament, according to multiple reports Friday. He will likely miss part or potentially all of the 2026 season as well.