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.
Braves' AJ Smith-Shawver: Summoned for Thursday's start
Rotowire
Smith-Shawver was recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday.
Smith-Shawver will get a start Thursday against the Cubs as Atlanta goes for the sweep. The 20-year-old right-hander holds a 4.57 ERA and 1.25 WHIP through 21.2 innings in the big leagues. He could be sent back to the minors immediately after Thursday's outing.
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Braves' AJ Smith-Shawver: Will start Thursday
Rotowire
Smith-Shawver will be recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett to start Thursday against the Cubs, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.
Thursday's start will be Smith-Shawver's first appearance in the majors since late July, when he surrendered three runs over five innings against the Brewers. On the season, he holds a 4.57 ERA and 1.25 WHIP through 21.2 innings in the big leagues, and he will likely return to Triple-A immediately after making his start.
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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: Rejoins big club
Rotowire
Smith-Shawver was recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett on Sunday.
Smith-Shawver returned from the injured list at Gwinnett last weekend but lasted just two-thirds of an inning, and it appears his next outing will come in the majors. The 20-year-old started in four of his five appearances for Atlanta this season, but he may work out of the bullpen this time around with Allan Winans taking the mound Sunday against the Pirates. Smith-Shawver could also help cover some innings during Game 2 of Monday's doubleheader in Philadelphia after Spencer Strider was pushed to Wednesday due to an illness.
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Braves' AJ Smith-Shawver: Makes return from Triple-A IL
Rotowire
Smith-Shawver (shoulder) was reinstated from Triple-A Gwinnett's 7-day injured list Sunday and recorded two outs while allowing one run on one hit and three walks in his start during the affiliate's 6-5 win over Louisville.
After being placed on Gwinnett's IL on Aug. 23 with right shoulder inflammation, Smith-Shawver returned in close to the minimum seven days, but he didn't look sharp Sunday. He spotted just 12 of his 31 pitches for strikes before being pulled from the contest midway through the first inning. Gwinnett may have planned on having Smith-Shawver handle a light workload in his first start back from the IL, so his early exit Sunday isn't necessarily indicative of a setback with his shoulder.
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Braves' AJ Smith-Shawver: On IL with shoulder inflammation
Rotowire
Smith-Shawver is on the 7-day injured list at Triple-A Gwinnett with right shoulder inflammation, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
He was placed on the IL Aug. 23, retroactive to Aug. 21. Smith-Shawver is Atlanta's top prospect and he reached the majors this season as a 20-year-old starting pitching prospect, which is a rare feat. With Kyle Wright (shoulder) amid a rehab assignment, Darius Vines and Jared Shuster could be short-term options for spot starts at the big-league level.
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Braves' AJ Smith-Shawver: Returns to Triple-A
Rotowire
Atlanta optioned Smith-Shawver to Triple-A Gwinnett on Monday.
As anticipated, Smith-Shawver was just up with Atlanta for a spot start after he was recalled ahead of Sunday's game against the Brewers. Though Atlanta came away with an 8-6 victory, Smith-Shawver was denied the win after tossing five innings and giving up three hits and four hits and four walks. Atlanta is set to return Max Fried (forearm) from the 60-day injured list Friday or Saturday to fill the vacant spot in the rotation, but Smith-Shawver could be back with the big club as soon as next week, when a temporary sixth starter will be needed for the Aug. 12 doubleheader with the Mets.
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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: 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: 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.
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.
