The Atlanta Braves are continuing to face challenges within their starting rotation, but their depth has helped them manage so far. The latest setback involves AJ Smith-Shawver, who left Thursday’s game due to an elbow “pop,” as described by manager Brian Snitker. Smith-Shawver was immediately placed on the injured list with an injury to his right elbow, which Snitker said “doesn’t look good.”
On Friday, the Braves confirmed that Smith-Shawver suffered a torn UCL, according to MLB.com. The team is still deciding whether he will require Tommy John surgery or an internal brace procedure. Regardless, his 2025 season is over, and how much time he will miss in 2026 remains uncertain. Internal brace recovery typically takes around 12 months, while Tommy John surgery requires 14-18 months.
The Braves have relied on their rotation depth to cope with this injury, hoping it will be enough. Last season’s All-Star Reinaldo Lopez is recovering from shoulder surgery and is being monitored with a potential return around the All-Star break. Spencer Strider has made three starts this season after returning from Tommy John surgery but was sidelined again by a hamstring injury following one start. Now, Smith-Shawver’s injury adds to the rotation’s woes.
Chris Sale, the 2024 Cy Young winner, had a tough start to the season but has since improved. Spencer Schwabach showed promise in his first three starts but then posted a 4.66 ERA with two outings allowing six runs. Strider is still not back to his peak form.
Despite these challenges, the Braves were not in dire straits before Smith-Shawver’s injury. Before a doubleheader against Philadelphia, their rotation had a 3.78 ERA, ranking 14th in Major League Baseball.
Grant Holmes deserves praise for his contributions. After a decade in the minors, Holmes made his MLB debut last year at age 28 and has become a reliable part of the Braves’ rotation this year, boasting a 3.68 ERA with 10 starts. Holmes exemplifies the kind of depth that helps a team through tough periods.
Smith-Shawver himself was integral in covering for Strider and Lopez’s absences, posting a 2.33 ERA in his first seven starts and helping the team win five of those games. Veteran Elder Blythe also improved after a rocky start, delivering a 3.10 ERA in his last five starts and helping the Braves win three of those games. He returned and filled in within the rotation.
Strider, an All-Star and 4th-place finisher in the 2023 NL Cy Young race, is expected to return to form. Though he walked four batters against the Phillies on Tuesday, he limited them to one hit in seven innings, showing signs of progress.
This development has helped both Sale and Schwabach improve, especially with Sale finding his rhythm. The Braves have a good chance to turn things around if their offense and bullpen perform well alongside the rotation of Strider, Schwabach, Holmes, and Elder. Depth is crucial, especially with injuries to pitchers like Lopez and Smith-Shawver. In a competitive NL East, where the Phillies and Mets had blazing starts, the Braves need all the help they can get. Currently 9.5 games back and with +120 odds to make the playoffs (per DraftKings), the Braves have significant work ahead.
Fan Take: This injury setback to AJ Smith-Shawver underscores the demanding nature of pitching durability in MLB and highlights the importance of having deep rotation options. For baseball fans, it’s a reminder that even a strong team like the Braves must adapt and overcome adversity to remain competitive throughout the grueling season.
