Smith-Shawver will be on Atlanta's roster for the NLDS against the Phillies, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.
Spencer Strider, Max Fried and Bryce Elder are locked in as the NLDS starters for the NL East champions, but Smith-Shawver can be a piggyback option if any of those three run into early trouble versus Philadelphia. The 20-year-old right-hander registered a 4.26 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 20:11 K:BB over his first 25.1 major-league innings during the regular season.
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Braves' AJ Smith-Shawver: Solid in short start
Rotowire
Smith-Shawver allowed one run on one walk and struck out two over 3.2 hitless innings in a no-decision versus the Cubs on Thursday.
Smith-Shawver was piggybacked by Kyle Wright. The only run Smith-Shawver allowed came in the first inning, as the Cubs were able to scrape together a scoring play with small ball. The 20-year-old right-hander lowered his ERA to 4.26 with a 1.11 WHIP and 20:11 K:BB over 25.1 innings across six big-league outings (five starts). He could be sent back to Triple-A Gwinnett if Atlanta wants to replenish its pitching depth for this weekend's series against the Nationals.
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Braves' AJ Smith-Shawver: Optioned to Triple-A
Rotowire
Smith-Shawver was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett on Wednesday.
Smith-Shawver's latest stint in the majors lasted just a couple days and he did not make an appearance. Atlanta has swapped him out in favor of Jared Shuster.
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Braves' AJ Smith-Shawver: Struggles with command in return
Rotowire
Smith-Shawver did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing three runs on four hits and four walks over five innings in an 8-6 win over the Brewers. He struck out three.
Smith-Shawver issued a season-high four walks in his first MLB start since June 23. While the 20-year-old right-hander was largely able to limit the damage, he'd ultimately get stuck with a no-decision. Smith-Shawver has been decent through five major-league starts, pitching to a 4.57 ERA with a 1.25 WHIP and 18:10 K:BB across 21.2 innings. However, he could head back to the minors as Max Fried (forearm) is expected to return to Atlanta's rotation next week.
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Braves' AJ Smith-Shawver: Called up ahead of start
Rotowire
Atlanta recalled Smith-Shawver from Triple-A Gwinnett ahead of his scheduled start Sunday versus the Brewers at Truist Park.
The highly touted rookie is likely just making a spot start for Atlanta, as the team is expected to get Max Fried (forearm) back from the 60-day injured list next week to permanently fill the vacant fifth spot in the rotation. In his first stint with the big club before he was demoted to Gwinnett on June 26, Smith-Shawver made four appearances (three starts) and turned in a 1-0 record, 4.32 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 15:6 K:BB across 16.2 innings.
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Braves' AJ Smith-Shawver: Rejoining Atlanta rotation Sunday
Rotowire
Smith-Shawver will be recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett to start Sunday's game against the Brewers, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.
Smith-Shawver was demoted in late June after making four appearances in the majors, and he'll rejoin Atlanta's rotation for Sunday's series finale versus Milwaukee. The 20-year-old had a 4.32 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 15:6 K:BB across 16.2 frames in his first taste of the big leagues, and he pitched well in his past two starts for Gwinnett with two runs allowed and 10 strikeouts over nine innings, though he also issued seven walks. With Atlanta potentially looking for rotation depth at the trade deadline and Max Fried (forearm) nearing his return from the injured list, this could be a short stay in the majors for Smith-Shawver.
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Braves' AJ Smith-Shawver: Demoted to minors
Rotowire
Atlanta optioned Smith-Shawver to Triple-A Gwinnett on Monday.
Though Smith-Shawver was fast-tracked to the big leagues after he began the season at High-A Rome and pitched just 19 innings above the Double-A level, Atlanta evidently decided that the 20-year-old needed some more seasoning in the minors. Over his three starts and one extended relief appearance, Smith-Shawver struck out 15 batters in 16.2 innings and submitted a 1.14 WHIP, but he was stung by the long ball, as he allowed five home runs during that stretch. Atlanta called up Dereck Rodriguez from Gwinnett in a corresponding move to give the club a fresh relief arm heading into a three-game series with Minnesota, but Michael Soroka is likely to be called up from Gwinnett on Wednesday to start against the Twins in what would have been Smith-Shawver's turn through the rotation, according to Mark Bowman of MLB.com.
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Braves' AJ Smith-Shawver: Only 3.1 innings in Cincinnati
Rotowire
Smith-Shawver did not factor into the decision Friday, allowing five runs on four hits and two walks over 3.1 innings against the Reds. He struck out four.
Atlanta staked Smith-Shawver to an early 5-0 lead, but the right-hander gave it all back before exiting with one out in the fourth. He served up three home runs, more than he allowed in his first three appearances combined (two). It was an outing to forget in one of the game's most hitter-friendly parks, but Smith-Shawver still has a 4.32 ERA and 1.14 WHIP in 16.2 total innings -- impressive for a 20-year-old in his first exposure to big-league hitters. He tentatively lines up to face the Twins at home next week.
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Braves' A.J. Smith-Shawver: Sleeper pitchers for Week 13 (June 19-25)
Rotowire
A.J. Smith-Shawver unveiled a much fuller arsenal in his second career start Thursday against the Rockies and saw his whiff rate spike as a result. His matchup this week at Philadelphia isn't the most favorable, but it's reasonable to take a shot on the upside.
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Braves' AJ Smith-Shawver: Picks up first MLB win
Rotowire
Smith-Shawver (1-0) earned the win Thursday, allowing three runs on six hits and one walk over 5.2 innings against the Rockies. He struck out six.
Smith-Shawver was solid Thursday, earning his first major-league win in his second start. Through his first two outings (13.1 innings), Smith-Shawver has a 2.03 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 11:4 K:BB after pitching to a 1.09 ERA in 33 innings in Triple-A. He's certainly earned a spot in Atlanta's rotation while Max Fried (forearm) and Kyle Wright (shoulder) are sidelined. Smith-Shawver tentatively lines up for a road matchup with the Phillies in his next outing.
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Braves' AJ Smith-Shawver: First MLB start Friday
Rotowire
Smith-Shawver will make his first major-league start Friday against the Nationals, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.
Smith-Shawver worked 2.1 hitless innings of relief in his big-league debut Sunday versus the Diamondbacks and will now officially step into Atlanta's rotation for the recently demoted Michael Soroka. The fast-rising 20-year-old was a seventh-round pick out of high school in 2021 and a 1.09 ERA with 45 strikeouts through 33 innings (seven starts) this season between High-A Rome, Double-A Mississippi and Triple-A Gwinnett. He's a must-add for a favorable matchup in Atlanta against the visiting Nats.
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Braves' A.J. Smith-Shawver: Possible waiver wire pickups
Rotowire
A.J. Smith-Shawver, as you may well know, has been a pitcher for less than three years. He's been a good pitcher for approximately 35 innings, the 33 he threw between three minor-league stops plus his 2 1/3 hitless innings from Sunday's debut. He was very much still learning the craft last year, and so the numbers are too poor to mention. Still, it makes him more of a mystery than anyone would like heading into his first start. Though the line from his first relief appearance was good, he had just two swinging strikes on 39 pitches. While he's limited damage on contact across all levels this year, he's also had a tendency to issue free passes. The Braves have a good track record with prospect promotions, which itself is reason enough to add him, but who can honestly say how it'll go?
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Braves' AJ Smith-Shawver: Impressing with Gwinnett
Rotowire
Smith-Shawver gave up two runs on four hits and three walks over seven innings for Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday. He struck out eight.
The 20-year-old right-hander has finally been tagged for some runs -- four in 12 Triple-A innings -- after firing 21 scoreless frames between High-A and Double-A to begin the season, but Smith-Shawver is still having little trouble dominating minor-league hitters. Thursday's seven innings represented his longest start of the year, and across all three levels he sports a 45:12 K:BB through 33 frames. The 2021 seventh-round pick has taken a massive leap forward this year while flashing two plus pitches in his fastball and slider, and a big-league debut later in the summer can't be ruled out if he continues to impress.
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Braves' AJ Smith-Shawver: Promoted to Triple-A
Rotowire
Smith-Shawver was promoted to Triple-A Gwinnett on Tuesday, Carlos Callazo of Baseball America reports.
The 20-year-old righty started the season in High-A and has now become the youngest player at the Triple-A level. Smith-Shawver boasts a perfect 0.00 ERA and a 0.86 WHIP through 21 innings between the High-A and Double-A levels. It's unlikely that his hot streak propels him into the majors anytime soon, but he could be someone to keep an eye on in Triple-A.
