The Braves will be without their top starting pitcher for a significant stretch after placing him on the 60-day injured list. The right-hander suffered an injury during the third inning of Thursday’s opening game of a doubleheader in Philadelphia.
The team described the injury as a “right elbow strain,” though it appears to be more serious. Manager Brian Snitker didn’t sound optimistic, saying, “Doesn’t look good,” after the game.
Before exiting, Smith-Shawver was struck on the right leg by a ball hit by the Phillies’ Bryson Stott. After being checked by Snitker and athletic trainer Jeff Stevenson, he threw a few warm-up pitches but was pulled from the game as his throwing motion looked off.
TV footage appeared to show Smith-Shawver indicating he felt something was wrong. “Yeah, he did,” Snitker confirmed. “He said he felt something pop on a pitch to Turner. At first, I wasn’t sure if he meant his elbow or maybe something in his foot. But when he said that, I knew he was done.”
Smith-Shawver, 22, has a 3-2 record with a 3.86 ERA and 42 strikeouts over 44.1 innings in nine starts this season.
In response to the injury, the Braves brought up lefty Dylan Dodd and added outfielder José Azócar to the major league roster. Outfielder Stuart Fairchild was placed on the 10-day injured list with a dislocated pinky, and reliever Michael Petersen was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett.
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