Atlanta optioned Smith-Shawver to Triple-A Gwinnett after Wednesday's game against the Mets.
Smith-Shawver gave up two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out four batters in 4.1 innings during the first game of Wednesday's twin bill. It marked his first time pitching in the majors since undergoing Tommy John surgery in June 2025. However, his time with the big club will be short-lived, and he'll now return to Triple-A, where he posted a 1.69 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and 12:5 K:BB in 10.2 innings during his rehab assignment. The 23-year-old righty figures to be a favorite to return to Atlanta if its rotation depth is tested during the final months of the season.
... See More... See Less
Braves' AJ Smith-Shawver: Activated ahead of start Wednesday
Rotowire
Atlanta activated Smith-Shawver (elbow) from the 60-day injured list Wednesday.
Smith-Shawver will start the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader versus the Mets in what will be his first outing in the majors since he underwent Tommy John surgery in June 2025. The right-hander looked sharp in five rehab starts, collecting a 1.53 ERA and 21:5 K:BB over 17.2 innings. Smith-Shawver threw 86 pitches in his final rehab outing with Triple-A Gwinnett last Thursday, so he should be capable of working long enough in Wednesday's start to qualify for a win. He's not currently scheduled for any additional starts with Atlanta, but Smith-Shawver could force his way into the club's immediate plans if he pitches well Wednesday.
... See More... See Less
Braves' AJ Smith-Shawver: Will start first game of twin bill
Rotowire
Smith-Shawver (elbow) is expected to be activated from the 60-day injured list to start the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Mets, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.
Smith-Shawver had been slated for one more rehab start, but Atlanta will have him make his 2026 debut with the big club instead after a rainout Tuesday created a doubleheader Wednesday. The right-hander has been excellent in five rehab outings, posting a 1.53 ERA and 21:5 K:BB over 17.2 innings. Smith-Shawver went four frames and threw 77 pitches in his last rehab start with Triple-A Gwinnett last Thursday, so he will likely have a somewhat truncated workload versus the Mets. He'll be making his first start in the majors since he underwent Tommy John surgery in June 2025.
... See More... See Less
Braves' AJ Smith-Shawver: One more rehab start expected
Rotowire
Smith-Shawver (elbow) is expected to make one more rehab start before being activated from the injured list, Ian Quillen of MLB.com reports.
Over four innings and 86 pitches (54 strikes) for Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday, the 23-year-old right-hander allowed just one unearned run on two hits and one walk while striking out five. Smith-Shawver has a 12:5 K:BB in 10.2 rehab innings for Gwinnett with a 1.69 ERA, but it's not yet clear if Atlanta will immediately add him to the big-league rotation once his IL stint is done -- the team is actively shopping for starting pitching at the trade deadline, and Smith-Shawver has a minor-league option remaining. If Atlanta doesn't bring in outside reinforcements, however, he could be an option to replace the struggling Reynaldo Lopez (nine runs allowed in 9.1 innings over his last two outings).
... See More... See Less
Braves' AJ Smith-Shawver: Looks sharp in latest rehab start
Rotowire
Smith-Shawver (elbow) allowed four hits and one walk while striking out five across 4.1 scoreless innings during his rehab start Saturday with Triple-A Gwinnett.
Smith-Shawver generated 13 whiffs on 72 pitches (43 strikes), and his fastball touched just over 99 mph during Saturday's rehab outing. His rehab assignment is set to run out July 29, so he could make at least a couple of more starts in the minors if Atlanta wants him to build up his pitch count further. Smith-Shawver is working his way back from Tommy John surgery, which he underwent last June.
... See More... See Less
Braves' AJ Smith-Shawver: Not ready for activation
Rotowire
Smith-Shawver (elbow) will make at least one more rehab start with Triple-A Gwinnett, Ken Sugiura of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
Smith-Shawver is in the final stages of his recovery from June 2025 Tommy John surgery. but he's not quite there yet. The 23-year-old right-hander built up to 58 pitches (28 strikes) with Gwinnett on Saturday, but the results weren't pretty as he gave up two runs on five hits and three walks over 2.1 innings. On the bright side, his fastball sat 95-97 mph and topped out at 98.7 mph before he began to fade in his third and final frame. Smith-Shawver's rehab assignment runs out July 29, and if Atlanta decides to max that out, he could fit in three more starts before coming off the IL.
... See More... See Less
Braves' AJ Smith-Shawver: Moving up to Gwinnett
Rotowire
Smith-Shawver (elbow) will make his next rehab start Saturday with Triple-A Gwinnett, Chad Bishop of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
The 23-year-old right-hander is closing in on his return to the big-league rotation following Tommy John surgery in June 2025. Smith-Shawver has made two rehab starts for Single-A Augusta, producing a 9:0 K:BB over seven innings while allowing just one run, and he built up to 46 pitches in his most recent outing July 5. He'll likely need at least two more rehab starts before Atlanta considers activating him, giving him a chance to make his 2026 debut before the end of the month.
... See More... See Less
Braves' AJ Smith-Shawver: Kicking off rehab stint Thursday
Rotowire
Smith-Shawver (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment Thursday at Atlanta's spring training facility in Florida, Chad Bishop of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
The 23-year-old right-hander is set to throw 35-to-40 pitches over two innings in a simulated game. Smith-Shawver is heading into the final stretch of his recovery from June 2025 Tommy John surgery, and he's on track to be an option for Atlanta's big-league rotation sometime after the All-Star break. Over his first seven starts in 2025 prior to developing elbow trouble, Smith-Shawver had a 2.33 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 40:17 K:BB in 38.2 innings.
... See More... See Less
Braves' AJ Smith-Shawver: Throwing bullpen sessions
Rotowire
Manager Walt Weiss said Friday that Smith-Shawver (elbow) has been throwing bullpen sessions, and the next step in his rehab is to face live hitters, Grant McAuley of the Marietta Daily Journal reports.
There hasn't been much info on Smith-Shawver's progress from Tommy John surgery, but Weiss said the right-hander has been throwing high-intensity bullpens, and it sounds like he's close to facing hitters. Once Smith-Shawver gets in some live batting practice, he'll likely then head out on an extended rehab assignment before having a chance to rejoin Atlanta's rotation later this summer.
... See More... See Less
Braves' AJ Smith-Shawver: Shifts to 60-day IL
Rotowire
Atlanta placed Smith-Shawver (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Friday.
The right-hander is working through his rehab program after undergoing Tommy John surgery in June of last year, so his move to the 60-day IL early this season was an eventuality. Smith-Shawver could rejoin Atlanta during the second half of 2026 if he can avoid any setbacks.
... See More... See Less
Braves' AJ Smith-Shawver: Opens season on 15-day IL
Rotowire
Atlanta placed Smith-Shawver (elbow) on the 15-day injured list Wednesday.
Smith-Shawver is still on the mend from the Tommy John surgery he underwent June 9 of last year and isn't expected to be ready to pitch for Atlanta until late in the 2026 season, if at all. Atlanta will eventually move him to the 60-day IL when it needs to open up another spot on the 40-man roster.
... See More... See Less
Braves' AJ Smith-Shawver: Undergoes Tommy John surgery
Rotowire
Atlanta announced Monday that Smith-Shawver (elbow) underwent Tommy John surgery and will miss the remainder of the 2025 season.
This was the expected outcome after Smith-Shawver was diagnosed with a torn UCL in his pitching elbow, which he suffered May 29. Smith-Shawver was placed on the 60-day injured list the following day and is looking at a lengthy rehab. Prior to his injury, Smith-Shawver (3-2) made nine starts for Atlanta this season, registering a 3.86 ERA and 42:21 K:BB across 44.1 innings of work. Grant Holmes and Bryce Elder round out Atlanta's rotation behind Chris Sale, Spencer Strider and Spencer Schwellenbach. Fellow starter Reynaldo Lopez (shoulder) remains on the 60-day IL.
... See More... See Less
Braves' AJ Smith-Shawver: Diagnosed with torn UCL
Rotowire
Atlanta manager Brian Snitker said Friday that Smith-Shawver has been diagnosed with a torn UCL in his right elbow, Grant McAuley of the Marietta Daily Journal reports.
Atlanta placed Smith-Shawver landed on the 15-day injured list Thursday, after team doctors determined that he had sustained a right elbow strain during his start earlier that day in the first game of a doubleheader versus the Phillies. After further evaluation, it was apparent that Smith-Shawver was headed for a long-term absence, so Atlanta transferred him to the 60-day IL on Friday. With UCL damage in his elbow having now been confirmed, Smith-Shawver will require a surgical procedure, though Snitker noted that it hasn't been determined whether the right-hander would require Tommy John surgery or another type of procedure. Surgery of any kind would almost certainly spell an end to Smith-Shawver's season while also affecting his availability for the start of the 2026 campaign. Bryce Elder will be called up from Triple-A Gwinnett to join the rotation as a replacement for Smith-Shawver, who will finish the 2025 season with a 3-2 record to go with a 3.86 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 42:21 K:BB across 44.1 innings.
... See More... See Less
Braves' AJ Smith-Shawver: Shifts to 60-day IL
Rotowire
Atlanta transferred Smith-Shawver (elbow) to the 60-day injured list Friday.
The right-hander landed on the 15-day IL after suffering an elbow strain during the first game of Thursday's doubleheader against the Phillies, and his quick move to the 60-day IL is an indication it isn't a minor issue. The severity of the strain isn't yet known, but Smith-Shawver will be sidelined for at least the next two months.
... See More... See Less
Braves' AJ Smith-Shawver: Hit by comebacker, exits game
Rotowire
Smith-Shawver was removed from his start in the first game of Thursday's doubleheader against Philadelphia after getting hit in his lower right leg by a comebacker, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. He struck out a batter and gave up two earned runs on three hits and one walk over 2.2 innings prior to his exit.
A 96-mile-per-hour line drive off the bat of Bryson Stott connected with Smith-Shawver's foot/ankle during the third inning. The 22-year-old righty attempted to remain in the game after getting hit but faced just one additional batter before manager Brian Snitker pulled the plug on him. Atlanta will presumably take a look at the young starter to make sure he didn't suffer any structural damage, and the team should offer an update on his status relatively soon.
... See More... See Less
Braves' AJ Smith-Shawver: Atlanta-Philadelphia postponed
Rotowire
Smith-Shawver and Atlanta will not play the Phillies on Wednesday after the game was postponed due to rain, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.
Smith-Shawver will have a second consecutive start postponed, with his May 21 outing also getting pushed back a day due to rain in Washington. Wednesday's contest will be made up Thursday, as Atlanta and Philadelphia will play a split doubleheader. Per Mark Bowman of MLB.com, Smith-Shawver will pitch in Game 1.
... See More... See Less
Braves' AJ Smith-Shawver: Atlanta-Washington postponed
Rotowire
Smith-Shawver and Atlanta won't play the Nationals on Wednesday after the game was postponed due to rain in Washington.
The two teams will make up the postponed game Sept. 16 as part of a doubleheader. Smith-Shawver's start has been pushed back a day to Thursday's series finale in Washington, per Gabe Burns of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
... See More... See Less
Braves' AJ Smith-Shawver: Throws six strong innings
Rotowire
Smith-Shawver (3-2) picked up the win Thursday against the Nationals, allowing one unearned run on two hits and two walks across six innings. He struck out six.
The only damage against Smith-Shawver came in the sixth inning, when a two-out fielding error by Austin Riley allowed CJ Abrams to score from second base. It was another excellent start from the 22-year-old, who's allowed just one earned run in his last 19.2 innings. On the year, Smith-Shawver has a 2.33 ERA and a 40:17 K:BB across 38.2 innings. He's in line to make his next start Thursday for a road matchup against Washington.
... See More... See Less
Braves' AJ Smith-Shawver: Earns first win in shortened start
Rotowire
Smith-Shawver (1-2) left Tuesday's start against the Rockies after being hit in the right arm by a line drive, Owen Perkins of MLB.com reports. He picked up the win after allowing two runs on four hits and one walk while striking out five in 5.1 innings.
Smith-Shawver was in a rhythm before his night ended, pouring in 46 of his 59 pitches for strikes, and he gave up a season-low four hits and one walk. "It got the meaty part of my arm, so we'll see what happens [Wednesday]," Smith-Shawver said following the contest. "But for right now, I'm feeling pretty good." It sounds like there's a chance the right-hander's exit was precautionary, given Atlanta was leading 7-1 at the time of his departure. Smith-Shawver holds a 4.26 ERA, 1.68 WHIP and 22:9 K:BB over 19 innings in 2025, and he can be deemed day-to-day for the time being. His next start tentatively lines up for next week at home versus the Reds.
... See More... See Less
Braves' AJ Smith-Shawver: Solid in no-decision
Rotowire
Smith-Shawver did not factor into the decision in Saturday's 5-4 win against the Rays, allowing two runs on six hits and two walks with seven strikeouts over five innings.
Smith-Shawver tossed 55 of 91 pitches for strikes while inducing 10 whiffs, including seven on his splitter. An Atlanta comeback ultimately prevented the 22-year-old from falling to 0-3, and this was actually his best outing of the season. He'll take a 4.61 ERA, 1.98 WHIP and 17:8 K:BB across 13.2 innings into a favorable matchup with the Twins next weekend.
