AJ Smith-Shawver - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates

It's Unclear When Braves Ace Chris Sale Will Face Dodgers In NLDS

After Chris Sale recording the final four outs of the 6-2 win over the Phillies in game three of the NLWC, Sale's timeline for the NLDS vs....

OCTOBER 2 • FOX SPORTS

It's Unclear When Braves Ace Chris Sale Will Face Dodgers In NLDS

AJ Smith-Shawver May Be in Perfect Role for Braves Postseason Run The Atlanta Braves opted to try AJ Smith-Shawver in a different role, and this could be the best way to utilize him

SEPTEMBER 25 • SI.COM

Pete Crow-Armstrong hits his 42nd homer on a 4-hit night as Cubs beat Braves 7-3

Pete Crow-Armstrong hit his 42nd homer to match the Cubs record for a left-handed batter and finished with four hits and four RBIs to power Chicago past the Atlanta Braves 7-3

SEPTEMBER 15 • Associated Press

Shifting to bullpen Atlanta manager Walt Weiss said Monday that Smith-Shawver is moving to the team's bullpen, Jesus Cano of The Athletic reports.

Impact Smith-Shawver has struggled in his five starts with the big club this season, collecting a 7.71 ERA, 1.81 WHIP and 18:13 K:BB over 21 innings. His stuff could play up in the bullpen, and Atlanta wants to give Smith-Shawver a trial run in a relief role down the stretch to see if he can help in that capacity in the playoffs.

SEPTEMBER 14 • ROTOWIRE

Struggles against Rays Smith-Shawver (0-2) took the loss Tuesday against the Rays after allowing four runs on five hits and two walks while striking out three over 3.1 innings.

Impact Smith-Shawver immediately fell behind when Junior Caminero launched a 455-foot solo homer in the first inning, though Atlanta quickly tied the game. His outing unraveled in the third, when Liam Hicks' two-run homer put Tampa Bay ahead for good before Victor Mesa added an RBI single. Smith-Shawver returned for the fourth but recorded only one out before being replaced by Brent Suter after a Yandy Diaz double, leaving him with a 7.71 ERA through his first five starts of the season.

SEPTEMBER 9 • ROTOWIRE

Gives up five runs in loss Smith-Shawver (0-1) took the loss against the Nationals on Tuesday, allowing five runs on six hits and three walks while striking out five across four innings.

Impact The five runs Smith-Shawver allowed in Tuesday's outing was his most in four starts this season, with four of those runs coming in the second inning. The 23-year-old right-hander finished his start having tossed 86 pitches (57 strikes) while generating 16 whiffs, and his five punchouts were a season high. Even though his start against Washington wasn't great, the fact that Smith-Shawver has tossed at least 86 pitches in each of his last two appearances is an encouraging sign that he has fully recovered from Tommy John surgery that he underwent in June of 2026. Atlanta is currently deploying a six-man rotation, so that puts Smith-Shawver in line to face the Rays at home next week.

SEPTEMBER 2 • ROTOWIRE

Yohandy Morales homers and has 3 hits in his debut as the Nationals top the Braves 9-5

Yohandy Morales homered in his first major league game and Jared Simpson earned the win in relief in his own debut, helping the Washington Nationals beat the Atlanta Braves 9-5

SEPTEMBER 2 • Associated Press

Braves' AJ Smith-Shawver Takes Post-Surgery Chapter a Step Further The Atlanta Braves had enough confidence in the right-hander to give him the ball against the Dodgers on Thursday

AUGUST 27 • SI.COM

Tosses five innings in no-decision Smith-Shawver did not factor into the decision Wednesday against the Dodgers, allowing three runs on five hits and three walks while striking out three over five innings.

Impact Smith-Shawver allowed a run in the second inning before Tommy Edman took him deep for a two-run homer in the third. Atlanta has made it clear that the right-hander will get an opportunity to show what he can do as part of a six-man rotation, however any further success could give him a shot at a permanent role should the club eventually return to five starters. Smith-Shawver has allowed nine runs across 13.2 innings through three starts this season. He's lined up for another difficult matchup Tuesday against the Nationals.

AUGUST 27 • ROTOWIRE

Braves beat Dodgers 6-5 on walk-off single by pinch-hitter Ha-Seong Kim

Pinch-hitter Ha-Seong Kim singled home Lane Thomas with two outs in the ninth inning, lifting the Atlanta Braves to a 6-5 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers

AUGUST 27 • Associated Press

Rough return to rotation Smith-Shawver didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 6-4 loss to the Twins, giving up four runs on five hits and three walks over 4.1 innings. He struck out three.

Impact Making just his second big-league appearance of the season, Smith-Shawver retired the first seven batters he faced before the wheels began to come off in the third inning, as four straight Minnesota hitters reached base before the right-hander coaxed a double play out of Josh Bell to escape the jam. Smith-Shawver wasn't so lucky in the fifth, getting the hook after 75 pitches (49 strikes) following a bases-loaded walk to Bell. Atlanta has indicated the 23-year-old will remain in the rotation for now as part of a six-man unit -- the team is in the middle of a three-week stretch with just one scheduled off day that takes them to Sept. 3 -- but he'll need to perform better to keep his spot. Smith-Shawver is set to make his next trip to the mound at home next week against the Dodgers.

AUGUST 19 • ROTOWIRE

Clemens has 3 RBIs as the Twins beat the Braves 6-4 to sweep their three-game series

Kody Clemens and Brooks Lee had RBI singles in the seventh inning and the Minnesota Twins beat the Atlanta Braves 6-4 on Wednesday to sweep the three-game series

AUGUST 19 • Associated Press

Braves at Twins chat and discussion: AJ Smith-Shawver vs. Taj Bradley Braves try to once again avoid the brooms

AUGUST 19 • BATTERYPOWER.COM

Braves News: AJ Smith-Shawver recalled, series loss in Minnesota, and more Atlanta Braves news and notes from Tuesday.

AUGUST 19 • BATTERYPOWER.COM

Expected to stick in rotation Smith-Shawver is expected to remain in the Atlanta rotation beyond Wednesday's start against Minnesota, Gabe Burns of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Impact Smith-Shawver has been limited to one major-league start so far this season, as he missed extended time at the start of the year while completing his recovery from Tommy John surgery. However, he will return to a big-league mound Wednesday, and Atlanta will move to a six-man rotation for the time being to accommodate the 23-year-old right-hander. Smith-Shawver had been pitching brilliantly for Triple-A prior to his promotion Tuesday, allowing just two earned runs with a 23:6 K:BB over his last 19.1 innings spanning four starts for Gwinnett.

AUGUST 18 • ROTOWIRE

Starting Wednesday for Atlanta Atlanta recalled Smith-Shawver from Triple-A Gwinnett on Tuesday.

Impact Per Gabe Burns of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Smith-Shawver will start Wednesday's game against the Twins, pushing Chris Sale back to give him an extra day of rest. It's unclear what the plan is for Smith-Shawver's role beyond that, but it could depend on how he fares Wednesday. Smith-Shawver has looked sharp after coming back from Tommy John surgery and in his last two outings with Gwinnett allowed just two runs with a 13:4 K:BB over 11 innings.

AUGUST 18 • ROTOWIRE

Promotion coming soon Atlanta manager Walt Weiss said Wednesday that Smith-Shawver is "on the cusp" of being recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett, Barrett Sallee of 680 The Fan Atlanta reports.

Impact Smith-Shawver has been on the shelf for most of the season while recovering from June 2025 Tommy John surgery, but he was activated in late July and then sent to Gwinnett after making a lone 4.1-inning spot start for the big club. The right-hander has turned in a pair of strong starts since heading to Gwinnett, including a gem of an outing Tuesday in which he struck out seven over 5.1 scoreless frames while permitting just one baserunner. Per Mark Bowman of MLB.com, Weiss made it clear Wednesday that he prefers to keep a five-man rotation intact, so once Smith-Shawver gets called up, Atlanta will likely look to move two of Reynaldo Lopez (knee), Tyler Mahle, Bryce Elder, Grant Holmes and Martin Perez to the bullpen.

AUGUST 12 • ROTOWIRE

Optioned after start Atlanta optioned Smith-Shawver to Triple-A Gwinnett after Wednesday's game against the Mets.

Impact 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.

JULY 30 • ROTOWIRE

Benge's tie-breaking hit lifts Mets to third straight win, a 3-2 victory over the Braves

Carson Benge hit a tie-breaking RBI double in the seventh inning, lifting the New York Mets to a 3-2 victory over the Atlanta Braves in the opener of a doubleheader

JULY 29 • Associated Press

AJ Smith-Shawver Shows Promise in Return for Braves The Atlanta Braves should be more than satisfied with what they got from Smith-Shawver during his first game back

JULY 29 • SI.COM

AJ Smith-Shawver is the Braves' 27th man in Mets doubleheader Your best source for quality Atlanta Braves news, rumors, analysis, stats and scores from the fan perspective.

JULY 29 • BATTERYPOWER.COM

Activated ahead of start Wednesday Atlanta activated Smith-Shawver (elbow) from the 60-day injured list Wednesday.

Impact 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 77 pitches in his final rehab outing, so he's not quite stretched out to handle a full workload. 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.

JULY 29 • ROTOWIRE

Will start first game of twin bill Smith-Shawver (elbow) is expected to start the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Mets, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Impact Smith-Shawver had been slated for one more rehab start, but Atlanta will have him take the ball with the big club instead after a rainout Tuesday resulted in Wednesday's doubleheader. 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, so he will have a somewhat truncated workload versus the Mets.

JULY 28 • ROTOWIRE

Mets-Braves game postponed amid forecast of heavy rain, will play doubleheader Wednesday

The New York Mets and Atlanta Braves will play a doubleheader Wednesday after Tuesday’s second game of the three-game series was postponed because of heavy rain in the forecast

JULY 28 • Associated Press

One more rehab start expected Smith-Shawver (elbow) is expected to make one more rehab start before being activated from the injured list, Ian Quillen of MLB.com reports.

Impact 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.)

JULY 25 • ROTOWIRE

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