Atlanta Braves rookie right-hander AJ Smith-Shawver left Thursday’s 5–4 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies in a doubleheader opener with a strained right elbow, appearing to say “pop” toward manager Brian Snitker after a third-inning pitch to Trea Turner.

The 22-year-old right-hander gave up a go-ahead, two-run homer to Rafael Marchán, then took a 96.6 mph line drive off his right ankle on a a ball hit by Bryson Stott with one out.

Smith-Shawver threw a warmup pitch and stayed in the game, then left after wincing while allowing a flyout to Turner on the fourth pitch of the at-bat.

“It doesn’t look good,” Snitker said between games.

Smith-Shawver was placed on the 15-day injured list between games, and Snitker said the pitcher was returning to Atlanta.

Smith-Shawver shook his arm twice after starting Turner with a 95.9 mph fastball that was low — well below the 99.6-mph pitch he threw to Turner for a first-inning groundout on his seventh pitch of the game.

After Smith-Shawver made a pickoff attempt, Turner fouled off a 94.7 mph fastball, took an inside splitter and flied out to the left-field warning track on a 94.2 mph fastball.

After the pitcher looked toward the dugout, Snitker and assistant athletic trainer Jeff Steveson went to the mound. Smith-Shawver appeared to say “pop” during his conversation with Snitker. Scott Blewett then relieved.

Smith-Shawver is 3-2 with a 3.86 ERA in nine starts and 44 1/3 innings, striking out 42 and walking 21.

HARPER sits TWIN BILL

Phillies star Bryce Harper missed both ends of Thursday’s doubleheader against the Braves, two days after being hit by a pitch on the right elbow.

Harper was hit by a 95.3 mph fastball from Braves pitcher Spencer Strider during the first inning of Tuesday night’s game. X-rays were negative, but the 32-year-old Harper had swelling and pain.

“He’s doing better,” manager Rob Thomson said before Thursday’s first game. “He came in yesterday for treatment. I believe he still had swelling and was still in pain, but it’s a lot better than we expected, so it’s making progress.

“He hasn’t swung the bat yet. ... I wouldn’t put him in a game until he’s comfortable swinging a bat.”

Thomson said Harper had no additional testing after the original X-ray.

Harper, a two-time MVP, is hitting .267 with eight home runs, 33 RBIs and an .825 OPS.

CUBS ADD RELIEVER

The Chicago Cubs agreed to a one-year contract with former New York Mets left-hander Génesis Cabrera.

Cabrera, 28, had a 3.52 ERA and threw seven strikeouts across 7 2/3 innings and seven games of relief for the Mets this year. He was designated for assignment on Saturday.

Cabrera also has had stints with the St. Louis Cardinals and the Toronto Blue Jays, is 17-14 with a 3.88 ERA in seven major league seasons.

ALVAREZ RETURNING soon

Houston Astros manager Joe Espada said injured slugger Yordan Alvarez is getting “really close” to returning after sitting out with a hand injury for almost a month.

Alvarez, who has been out since May 3 with right hand inflammation, hit off a pitching machine Thursday.

“He’s getting really close,” Espada said. “This is the best I’ve seen him and this is the best he’s felt. So, really good news.”