Atlanta Warriors starting pitcher AJ Smith-Shawo is reimbursed for the season after receiving ligament replacement surgery

The Atlanta Braves announced Monday that right-hand pitcher AJ Smith-Shawver has undergone Tommy John surgery to reconstruct the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow.

It was previously uncertain whether Smith-Shower would require complete ligament replacement surgery, which was determined during the procedure by Dr. Keith Meister of Arlington, Texas. Keith Meister) after examining the elbow.

Smith Showaut will miss the rest of the 2025 season. Atlanta head coach Brian Snitker didn't provide a specific comeback timeline ahead of Monday night's series opener against the Milwaukee Brewers, but based on this regular recovery cycle, Smith-Schove will miss at least the first two months of the 2026 season, if not longer.

"He's going to have a long road to recovery at this point," Snitke said, "and the surgery went well and it usually takes a year to get back on the field." I wish him all the best of luck in his recovery. "

The 22-year-old right-hand pitcher started the season with a 2.33 ERA in the first seven games of the season before conceding seven points in three games against the Washington Nationals on May 22. His next game was against the Philadelphia Phillies on May 29, where he left the game injured after just 2.2 innings.

While the exact timing of the injury is unknown, the first signs of discomfort came during the third inning, when Phillies shortstop Trea Turner was on the bench. Subsequent MRI confirmed a tear of the accessory ligament (UCL) of the ulna.

With Reynaldo López on the 60-day injured roster due to right shoulder inflammation, Smith Showau's absence leaves the Warriors in the current rotation to:
Chris Sale
Spencer Strider
Spencer Schwellenbach
Grant Holmes
Bryce Elder

Lopez may be able to return before the end of the season — but he won't be reviewed until around the All-Star break — and if that happens, it would bolster the Warriors' pitching depth. As for Smith Shawo, the Warriors will have to wait until 2027 to welcome back the former number one rookie.

"He was at a critical stage of building confidence and power in his pitching," Snitke said of Smith Shawo before the injury, "and we're seeing more of the power of the ball and his pitching skills are in line with what we expect from our young players." "
"It's heartbreaking. I was sad because he was enjoying the competition and had a bright future. This was only a brief setback, but he is still young and will have a brilliant career. "