The Atlanta Braves have announced that starting pitcher AJ Smith-Shawver has undergone “Tommy John” surgery to repair the UCL in his pitching elbow and will miss the remainder of the 2025 season. He will likely miss much of the 2026 season as well.
RHP AJ Smith-Shawver today underwent Tommy John surgery to reconstruct the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow, performed by Dr. Keith Meister in Arlington, TX. He will miss the remainder of the 2025 season.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) June 9, 2025
This was the expected outcome for the 22-year-old right-hander who helped stabilize the team’s rotation prior to his injury making nine starts.
On a positive note, the Braves also announced that infielder Nacho Alvarez, Jr. will begin his rehabilitation assignment in the FCL.
Nacho Alvarez Jr. today begins a rehabilitation assignment with the FCL Braves.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) June 9, 2025
Alvarez, Jr. left an early Spring Training game with a wrist injury and updates have been scare ever since. Given Atlanta’s lack of infield depth, a return of one of the organization’s only top position player prospects in the upper minors would give the Braves another option this Summer.
Alvarez, Jr. made his MLB debut last season, appearing in eight games.