ATLANTA — The Atlanta Braves’ pitching rotation took a hit on Friday as the team gave an update on AJ Smith-Shawver’s elbow injury.
The Braves confirmed Smith-Shawver tore his ulnar collateral ligament and is exploring his surgical options.
That likely means the rookie pitcher is out for the rest of the season.
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Smith-Shawver left early during the first game of the Braves’ doubleheader against the Phillies.
The pitcher took a 96.6 mph line drive to his right ankle, but when Brian Snitker and the trainers went to the mound, he said he felt a “pop” in his elbow.
The Braves placed him on the injured list before the second game.
“It doesn’t look good,” Snitker said between games.
Smith-Shawver is 3-2 with a 3.86 ERA in nine starts this season with a 42-21 strike-to-walk ratio.
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