A.J. Smith-Shawver injury update: When will the Braves rookie pitcher return after manager Brian Snitker says "doesn’t look good"

Just when it seemed like AJ Smith-Shawver was beginning to carve out his role in the Atlanta Braves rotation, the 22-year-old right-hander was forced to exit Thursday’s game against the Phillies with a right elbow strain that may sideline him for an extended period. The promising rookie’s departure during the third inning of Game 1 in a doubleheader dealt yet another blow to a Braves squad already struggling to find rhythm in 2025.A.J. Smith-Shawver’s outing was already a rollercoaster. He had surrendered a two-run homer to Rafael Marchán before taking a 96.6 mph liner off his right ankle from Bryson Stott. Though he shook it off initially and stayed in to face Trea Turner, what followed was far more alarming. As he delivered a series of fastballs, noticeably down in velocity, he was seen shaking his right arm. On the mound, he appeared to utter the word “pop” to manager Brian Snitker — a moment that would send concern rippling through the Braves dugout.“It doesn’t look good,” Snitker admitted after the game, confirming fears that the “pop” was felt in Smith-Shawver’s elbow, not his leg as some had hoped.Before the injury, Smith-Shawver had shown flashes of growth. In his 2.2 innings pitched Thursday, he gave up two runs on three hits with a strikeout and a walk. Across nine starts this season, he’s compiled a 3-2 record with a 3.86 ERA, striking out 42 over 44 1/3 innings. Though the numbers reflected a young pitcher still developing, the signs of progress were undeniable — making this injury all the more deflating.In response, the Braves placed him on the 15-day injured list and recalled right-hander Michael Petersen from Triple-A Gwinnett. While a pitcher like Bryce Elder may eventually fill Smith-Shawver’s rotation spot, there’s no clear path forward for a team that already finds itself 10.5 games out of first place in the NL East.What makes this setback more painful is its timing. Atlanta’s offense has been inconsistent, and just as their starting rotation was showing signs of stability, another key piece has gone down. Smith-Shawver’s injury, especially if serious, underscores the brutal luck the Braves have endured this season.For now, the team awaits further evaluation on Smith-Shawver’s elbow — and with it, a clearer picture of just how long this dark cloud might linger over Atlanta’s 2025 campaign.Also Read: Alexis Díaz joins Dodgers in stunning trade deal with Reds, reshaping LA’s pitching strategy