Atlanta general manager Alex Anthopoulos confirmed Tuesday that Smith-Shawver will make his first major-league start this weekend against the Nationals, Jeff Schultz of the Atlanta Journal Constitution reports.
The start will either be Friday or Saturday. Whatever the case, it's a highly favorable matchup for the young right-hander at home in Truist Park. Smith-Shawver fanned three batters over 2.1 hitless innings of relief in his MLB debut Sunday at Arizona, building on the 1.09 ERA and 45:12 K:BB he had compiled through 33 innings (seven starts) this season in the minors. The young right-hander should be rostered everywhere as he slides into Atlanta's rotation following Monday's demotion of Michael Soroka.