The Atlanta Braves announced that right-hander AJ Smith-Shawver (elbow) underwent Tommy John surgery to reconstruct the UCL in his right elbow on Monday, and the surgery was performed by Dr. Keith Meister in Arlington, TX. Smith-Shawver will miss the rest of the 2025 season and most likely at least half of next year as well. The 22-year-old suffered the injury to his elbow during his start on May 29 and was placed on the 60-day injured list shortly after. Fantasy managers should have already dropped him in single-year formats for another healthy body. It's a major blow to a Braves team that continues to be hit hard by injuries this year. Before going down, the former seventh-rounder was making strides in just his third MLB season and had gone 3-2 with a 3.86 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, 42 K's and 21 walks in 44 1/3 frames over nine starts.

Atlanta Braves right-hander AJ Smith-Shawver (elbow) will visit with orthopedic surgeon Keith Meister in Arlington, Texas, on Thursday after suffering a torn UCL in his right elbow. Smith-Shawver is likely to have Tommy John surgery this week, according to The Athletic's David O'Brien. We already knew the 22-year-old would be done for the rest of the 2025 season, but it's good news he'll be getting the surgery out of the way as soon as possible. It's unclear if he'll also have an internal-brace procedure, but either way, he might not be ready for his 2026 debut until the second half of that campaign. The former seventh-rounder can obviously be dumped in season-long fantasy leagues after going 3-2 with a 3.86 ERA and 1.42 WHIP in nine starts before his injury. For now, right-hander Bryce Elder is the one taking over Smith-Shawver's starting-rotation spot in Atlanta.

Atlanta Braves right-hander AJ Smith-Shawver (elbow) has been diagnosed with a torn UCL in his right elbow and will likely need Tommy John surgery, according to manager Brian Snitker. Smith-Shawver will undergo further evaluation, but the surgical procedure hasn't been decided upon yet. Right-hander Bryce Elder will make the start for the Braves on Sunday against the Boston Red Sox. This was the expectation after the 22-year-old heard a pop in his elbow and was pulled after 2 2/3 innings in Game 1 of a doubleheader on Thursday against the Philadelphia Phillies. It's a tough break for a Braves team that has had it's fair share of injuries the last couple seasons. Smith-Shawver will miss the rest of 2025 and most likely at least half of the 2026 campaign if he undergoes elbow reconstruction, as expected. He finishes his season with a 3.86 ERA and 1.42 WHIP with 42 K's and 21 walks in 44 1/3 innings over nine starts.

The Atlanta Braves announced on Friday that they placed right-hander AJ Smith-Shawver (elbow) on the 60-day injured list. Smith-Shawver suffered a strained elbow in his start in Game 1 of a doubleheader against the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday and was immediately placed on the 15-day IL. Manager Brian Snitker said Smith-Shawver's injury didn't look good, and the move to put him on the 60-day IL a day later speaks to the seriousness of the 22-year-old's injury. MLB.com's Mark Bowman reported on Thursday that Smith-Shawver felt a pop in his elbow during his outing and is likely to miss the rest of the 2025 season. The Braves have yet to confirm the nature of Smith-Shawver's injury, but it could only be a matter of time before he's officially declared out for the season. At the very least, he'll miss the next two months.

Atlanta Braves right-handed pitcher AJ Smith-Shawver (elbow) likely suffered a season-ending injury on Thursday, according to MLB.com's Mark Bowman. The young hurler "heard his right elbow pop just moments after getting hit on the right heel by Bryson Stott's line-drive comebacker," according to Bowman. Manager Brian Snitker was pessimistic about Smith-Shawver's status postgame, pointing out that "it doesn't look good." Atlanta has already placed him on the 15-day injured list, but he'll presumably miss the full season if testing confirms the severity of his injury. It would be a crushing end to a promising rookie campaign from the 22-year-old. The NL Rookie of the Year candidate owned a 3.55 FIP with 8.86 K/9 and 4.32 BB/9 through 41.2 innings (eight starts) this year.

The Atlanta Braves announced on Thursday that they placed right-hander AJ Smith-Shawver (elbow) on the 15-day injured list with a strained right elbow and recalled right-hander Michael Peterson from Triple-A Gwinnett in a corresponding move. Smith-Shawver was hit by a comebacker in his heel/foot in his start on Thursday in Game 1 of a doubleheader against the division-rival Philadelphia Phillies and was pulled after just 2 2/3 innings, but he apparently also injured his elbow in the outing and will most likely miss more than the next 15 days. Manager Brian Snitker said that "it doesn't look good" after the Game 1 loss, so fantasy managers might want to prepare for a lengthy absence. It's unclear who might take his rotation spot, but the best bet might be right-hander Bryce Elder. Smith-Shawver is one of the more promising young arms in baseball, so he deserves to be stashed in fantasy leagues while he recovers.

Atlanta Braves right-hander AJ Smith-Shawver (heel) left his start early in Game 1 of a doubleheader against the division-rival Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on Thursday after being hit on the heel by a comebacker off the bat of second baseman Bryson Stott. Smith-Shawver stayed in to face Trea Turner before eventually being checked on by manager Brian Snitker and assistant athletic trainer Jeff Stevenson. Before leaving, the 22-year-old allowed two earned runs on three hits while walking one and striking out one in 2 2/3 innings. We'll know more on his status after the Braves put him through some tests, but hopefully there is no structural damage or fractures in his foot. Even if Smith-Shawver avoids a serious injury, his next start in the middle of next week could be in jeopardy. Smith-Shawver is one of the better young pitchers in the game.

Atlanta Braves right-hander AJ Smith-Shawver continued to look good in his start in Thursday's series finale against the division-rival Washington Nationals. Smith-Shawver picked up his third win of the year by allowing an unearned run on two hits while walking two and striking out six in six solid innings of work at Truist Park in the 5-2 win. The 22-year-old has quickly become a must-start in fantasy in 2025 in his third season in the big leagues dropping his ERA on the year to 2.33. In 19 2/3 innings in the month of May, he has allowed just one earned run with a 0.47 ERA. Smith-Shawver is lined up for a rematch against the Nationals on the road in D.C. early next week, where he should be in all starting fantasy lineups as one of the best rising young arms in baseball.

Atlanta Braves startingpitcher AJ Smith-Shawver pitched well in Saturday's 3-2 victory over the Pirates, going 5 2/3 innings, allowing one earned run on five hits and two walks while striking out seven, but he came away with a no-decision. This effort comes on the heels of an eight-inning, one-hit masterpiece in his previous start, and if he continues to pitch like this, it will be hard to remove the righty from the rotation once Spencer Strider (hamstring) returns. Through six starts this season, Smith-Shawver owns a 2.76 ERA (3.80 xFIP), 1.35 WHIP, and a 13.8 percent K-BB%. The 22-year-old's next start lines up with the 17-23 Nationals at home next Thursday, so it is an opportunity to keep rolling. The former seventh-round draft pick is still available in over half of Yahoo leagues for fantasy managers looking for pitching help with some rest-of-season upside.

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher AJ Smith-Shawver looked sharp in Monday's 4-0 win over the Reds. Smith-Shawver took a no-hitter into the eighth inning and finished the outing with eight innings pitched, one hit allowed, four walks allowed, and five strikeouts. The 22-year-old's first two starts of the season left something to be desired, but he has pitched better since and is now 2-2 with a 3.00 ERA, a 1.37 WHIP, a 9.00 K/9 rate, and a 4.33 BB/9 rate in five starts and 27 IP. Walks have still been an issue, but Smith-Shawver has shown that he is worth consideration in favorable matchups. His next scheduled start will be a great matchup at the Pirates.

X-rays came back negative on Atlanta Braves right-hander AJ Smith-Shawver (elbow) after he was struck by a line drive during his start on Tuesday against the Colorado Rockies. Before leaving after 5 1/3 innings at Coors Field on Tuesday, Smith-Shawver allowed two earned runs on four hits (one homer) while walking one and striking out five batters. Since the 22-year-old was able to avoid any fractures or breaks in his right arm, fantasy managers should expect him to be able to make his fifth start of the year next Monday against the Cincinnati Reds. At worst, the Braves might push Smith-Shawver back a few days next week, depending on how his arm is feeling. The former seventh-round selection in 2021 has gone 1-2 on the season so far with a 4.26 ERA (4.24 FIP) and 1.68 WHIP with 22 strikeouts and nine walks in his 19 innings.

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher AJ Smith-Shawver (arm) exited Tuesday's 8-2 win over the Rockies in the sixth inning after being hit in the right arm by a line drive. He retrieved the ball and tossed it to first for the out but exited after. The 22-year-old, who was recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett to make the start Tuesday, pitched 5 1/3 innings on 59 pitches, allowing two runs on four hits (including a solo home run) and a walk with five strikeouts. Fantasy managers should wait to hear more about Smith-Shawver's status in the coming days. Should he simply be day-to-day, his status with the team will still be unknown. Smith-Shawver made three starts with the Braves before being sent down to Triple-A earlier in the season. He is now 1-2 with a 4.26 ERA, a 1.68 WHIP, and a 10.42 K/9 rate.

Atlanta Braves pitcher AJ Smith-Shawver was recalled from Triple-A and will start Tuesday'sgame against the Rockies. The righty made three starts for the team earlier this season, posting a 4.61 ERA (3.56 xFIP), a 1.98 WHIP, and a 13.8 K-BB% across 13 2/3 innings pitched. The former seventh-round pick debuted back in 2023, but was just 20 years old at the time. The now-22-year-old will make his next attempt to stick in the Braves' rotationand although the venue (Coors Field) doesn't do him any favors, the Rockies are 4-24 with one of the worst team batting averages in baseball and have struck out the most in the majors over the first month of the season. The Braves are heavy favorites in this game, so Smith-Shawver could be a viable DFS play who could manage to pick up a win in this one. Ian Anderson, who the Braves recently claimed off waivers, was designated for assignment to make room.

Atlanta Braves pitching prospect AJ Smith-Shawver tossed five 2/3 innings of three-run ball in his first start at Triple-A Gwinnett on Friday. While Smith-Shawver took the loss in this contest, he flashed high strikeout upside as he struck out eight batters. The top prospect in Atlanta was able to earn a spot on the Opening Day roster with Spencer Strider (elbow) sidelined. However, with Strider back in action, Smith-Shawver was sent back to Triple-A to further his development. During his stint in the majors this season, he logged 13 2/3 innings to the tune of a 4.61 ERA with a 1.98 WHIP. He held a 17:8 K:BB and allowed two home runs. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor Smith-Shawver's production at Triple-A as he could be in the mix to replace Bryce Elder in the major league rotation.

The Atlanta Braves have optioned right-handed pitcher AJ Smith-Shawver to Triple-A Gwinnett. In a corresponding move, the Braves promoted right-handed pitcher Michael Petersen. Smith-Shawver was able to win a spot in the starting rotation during camp, but will head back to Triple-A to continue his development. Through his first three starts of the campaign, Smith-Shawver has logged 13 2/3 innings and posted a 4.61 ERA with a 1.98 WHIP. He has held an 8:17 BB:K with two home runs allowed. As a result, fantasy managers should expect Bryce Elder to remain in the rotation as the No. 5 option. This transaction also opens a spot for Spencer Strider (elbow), who is set to make his season debut next week. Smith-Shawver is only worth stashing in deeper NL-only formats, as he could be in the mix to return to the big leagues if Elder were to struggle.

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher AJ Smith-Shawver will begin the season in the rotation, according to Justin Toscano. Smith-Shawver out-performed Ian Anderson this spring, who was recently traded to the Angels. He has struck out 20 batters while walking five in 16 innings this spring and is looking to translate the success he has seen as a prospect into production at the major league level. He encountered some road bumps last season, but he posted a 2.76 ERA and 1.13 WHIP with a 31.3% strikeout rate in the minors in 2023. Still only 22 years old, Smith-Shawver possesses long-term upside, but may only spend a brief time in the rotation to begin the year with Spencer Strider set to be ready at some point in April.

The Atlanta Braves move to use right-handed pitching prospect AJ Smith-Shawver on Friday in the Grapefruit League against the Tampa Bay Rays suggests that the team could be lining him up to make his first start of the 2025 season on Monday, March 31, against the Los Angeles Dodgers, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Justin Toscano suggests. The 22-year-old could be in the lead for the No. 5 rotation spot as he competes with Ian Anderson, but the Braves may prefer to open the year with a six-man rotation given the fact that they open the year with seven straight games before their first off day. The former seventh-rounder has fanned 18 with just three walks in 12 spring innings over his four starts after he made only one start in the regular season in the majors in 2024. A matchup against L.A. early on wouldn't be ideal, and Smith-Shawver may just be holding a rotation spot in April until Spencer Strider (elbow) is ready to return.

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher prospect AJ Smith-Shawver made his spring debut on Wednesday, yielding zero runs on two hits while striking out three in two innings of work in a 9-4 Grapefruit League win over the Pirates. Smith-Shawver made 21 starts at Triple-A last season, posting an uninspiring 4.85 ERA and 1.24 WHIP, but also struck out 108 batters in 89 IP. The righty has been promoted to the majors twice so far in his career, making five starts in 2023 and one start in 2024, although the results have been mixed. The former seventh-round pick owns a 3.64 ERA (6.11 FIP, 5.20 SIERA), 1.11 WHIP, and an 8.9 percent K-BB% over 29 2/3 major league innings. He's battling for a spot in the rotation with Grant Holmes and Ian Anderson, but unless one of them falters, Smith-Shawver is likely to begin the season at Triple-A. If somehow he were to earn a rotation spot, the 22-year-old could make for an intriguing fantasy option as pitching for the Braves should provide a decent chance to rack up some Ws alongside decent strikeout totals.

According to David O'Brien of The Athletic, Atlanta Braves pitching prospect AJ Smith-Shawver is expected to see starting opportunities early in the season. O'Brien noted that with Spencer Strider (elbow) set to open the season on the injured list, Smith-Shawver should be in the mix for starts early on. Smith-Shawver made his MLB debut during the 2023 season and held a 4.26 ERA with a 1.11 WHIP across 25 1/3 innings. Last summer, he logged just four 1/3 innings in Atlanta and did not allow a run. Across 87 frames with Triple-A Gwinnett last summer, the No. 2 prospect in the system posted a 4.86 ERA with a 1.25 WHIP. He struck out 104 batters and served up 40 free passes. Fantasy managers should monitor his progress during spring training as he could crack the starting rotation. He will compete for a spot alongside Ian Anderson, Grant Holmes, and Bryce Elder.

Atlanta Braves right-hander AJ Smith-Shawver has been named the starter for Game 1 of the wild-card series against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on Tuesday night. The Braves didn't have ideal options to choose from to start against a strong Padres offense to kick off the three-game series, as Smith-Shawver got the nod over Ian Anderson and Bryce Elder. The 21-year-old made his big-league debut in 2023 but pitched in just six games (five starts). His lone MLB start in 2024 came back on May 23, when he threw 4 1/3 shutout innings in a no-decision against the Chicago Cubs. The former seventh-rounder didn't do great in the minors, posting a 4.85 ERA and 1.24 WHIP with 108 K's and 40 walks in 89 innings over 21 starts with Triple-A Gwinnett and High-A Rome. Needless to say, Smith-Shawver won't be a recommended DFS play for the first day of playoff action.