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AJ Smith-Shawver exits game early with injury

Originally posted on SportsTalkATL | By Chase Irle | Last updated May 29, 2025 3:28 PM ET

It’s just been one of those seasons… again for the Braves.

Already trailing the Phillies by 9.5 games in the NL East, featuring an offense that just can’t seem to get anything going, AJ Smith-Shawver left Thursday afternoon’s game with an injury after he was struck in the calf with a 97 MPH line drive.

Smith-Shawver exits one batter after his right calf was struck by Stott's liner pic.twitter.com/lWzZchWvaO

— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) May 29, 2025

Smith-Shawver is amid a breakout campaign and currently one of the favorites to take home the NL Rookie of the Year award. He’s been one of the few bright spots of what has been just a dreadful start to the 2025 campaign.

The 22-year-old right-hander did stay in the game initially, nearly giving up a long home run to Trea Turner. However, his fastball velocity in the at-bat told Brian Snitker and company that something clearly was not right. Smith-Shawver was sitting in the upper-90s all afternoon, and his final fastball of the outing was 94.2 MPH.

Hopefully, it’s nothing serious and will not force Smith-Shawver to the IL. We’ll keep you updated here at SportsTalkATL with the latest details as they become available.

This article first appeared on SportsTalkATL and was syndicated with permission.

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