AJ Smith-Shawver - Page 6 - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates

Called up to start Tuesday Atlanta recalled Smith-Shawver from Triple-A Gwinnett to start Tuesday's game against the Rockies.

Impact The right-hander will rejoin Atlanta for his fourth MLB start of the season in the wake of Spencer Strider (hamstring) returning to the injured list. Smith-Shawver has a 4.61 ERA, 1.98 WHIP and 17:8 K:BB across 13.2 innings this season and has posted similar numbers for Gwinnett with a 4.82 ERA in two outings.

APRIL 29, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Slated to start Tuesday Smith-Shawver will likely start against the Rockies on Tuesday, Lindsay Crosby of AthlonSports.com reports.

Impact Smith-Shawver made Atlanta's Opening Day roster after a strong spring training, and in three major-league starts he posted a 4.61 ERA, 1.98 WHIP and 17:8 K:BB across 13.2 innings. He was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett on April 13, but Smith-Shawver appears set to rejoin Atlanta's rotation after Spencer Strider (hamstring) was placed on the 15-day injured list this past Tuesday.

APRIL 27, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Moving to Triple-A Atlanta optioned Smith-Shawver to Triple-A Gwinnett on Sunday.

Impact Though Atlanta is welcoming Spencer Strider (elbow) back from the 15-day injured list during the upcoming week, Smith-Shawver appeared to be in good position to retain a back-end spot in the rotation moving forward. However, Atlanta is electing to proceed with Bryce Elder as its No. 5 starter, even though Smith-Shawver beat him in the competition for a rotation spot during spring training and had performed similarly through the first two and a half weeks of the season. Smith-Shawver went 0-2 with a 4.61 ERA and 1.98 WHIP while issuing eight walks and striking out 17 over 13.2 innings, but an elevated .447 BABIP and 16.7 HR/FB% suggested that he likely would have been due for some positive regression if he stuck around in the rotation.

APRIL 13, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Moving to Triple-A Atlanta optioned Smith-Shawver to Triple-A Gwinnett on Sunday.

Impact Though Atlanta won't welcome Spencer Strider (elbow) back from the 15-day injured list until next week, Smith-Shawver will head to the minors now, with the team electing to proceed with Bryce Elder as its No. 5 starter. Smith-Shawver went 0-2 with a 4.61 ERA and 1.98 WHIP while issuing eight walks and striking out 17 over 13.2 innings, but an elevated .447 BABIP and 16.7 HR/FB% suggest that he likely would have been due for some positive regression. The 22-year-old could be back in the majors quickly if Elder struggles, or another rotation spot opens up due to injury.

APRIL 13, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Solid in no-decision 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.

Impact Smith-Shawver tossed 55 of 91 pitches for strikes while inducing 10 whiffs, including seven on his splitter. While an Atlanta comeback ultimately prevented the 22-year-old from falling to 0-3, this was 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.

APRIL 13, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Solid in no-decision 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.

Impact 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.

APRIL 13, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Braves take road losing streak into matchup against the Rays

The Atlanta Braves will try to stop their eight-game road slide in a matchup with the Tampa Bay Rays

APRIL 12, 2025 • Associated Press

Falls to 0-2 Smith-Shawver (0-2) took the loss Saturday against the Marlins, allowing three runs on seven hits and three walks over 4.2 innings. He struck out six.

Impact Smith-Shawver has displayed impressive swing-and-miss stuff to start the year, totaling 24 whiffs through his first two starts. However, it's yet to yield results for the young right-hander as he's allowed five runs while posting a 2.19 WHIP across 8.2 innings to start the year. Smith-Shawver will look to turn things around in his next outing, which currently lines up as a tough home matchup with the Phillies.

APRIL 6, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Falls to 0-2 Smith-Shawver (0-2) took the loss Saturday against the Marlins, allowing three runs on seven hits and three walks over 4.2 innings. He struck out six.

Impact Smith-Shawver has displayed impressive swing-and-miss stuff to start the year, totaling 24 whiffs through his first two starts. However, it's yet to yield complete results for the young right-hander, as he's allowed five runs while posting a 2.19 WHIP across 8.2 innings to start the year. Smith-Shawver will look to turn things around in his next outing, which currently lines up as a tough home matchup with the Phillies.

APRIL 6, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Mervis hits two home runs as Marlins down Braves 4-0

Miami first baseman Matt Mervis tallied his first two homers of the season in his first career two-home run game as the Marlins evened the series with a 4-0 win over the Braves on...

APRIL 6, 2025 • Associated Press

Pivetta brilliant in debut for Padres, who beat Braves 5-0 for 4-game sweep

Nick Pivetta threw seven innings of one-hit ball in a brilliant debut with the Padres and Manny Machado returned to the lineup and hit an RBI double as San Diego beat the Atlanta B...

MARCH 31, 2025 • Associated Press

Short outing vs. Padres Smith-Shawver (0-1) took the loss Sunday against San Diego, allowing two runs on six hits and three walks over four innings. He struck out four.

Impact Smith-Shawver did a good job limiting the Padres to just two runs, though he only lasted four innings after throwing 77 pitches. Smith-Shawver won the final spot in Atlanta's rotation thanks to an impressive showing in Spring Training -- he came into the year with just 29.2 innings of regular-season experience under his belt. The 22-year-old right-hander will look for better results in his next outing, currently scheduled for next week against Miami.

MARCH 31, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Braves try to stop road skid, face the Padres

The Atlanta Braves hit the road against the San Diego Padres looking to end a three-game road slide

MARCH 30, 2025 • Associated Press

MLB rookie power rankings: Which prospects are poised to make an immediate impact?

While many highly-regarded prospects get some final polishing in the minors, the first rookie power rankings of the year feature Roki Sasaki...

MARCH 27, 2025 • FOX SPORTS

MLB rookie power rankings: Which prospects are poised to make an immediate impact?

Set for rotation spot Smith-Shawver is expected to begin the season in the Atlanta rotation, Justin Toscano of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Impact With Ian Anderson traded to the Angels on Sunday and Bryce Elder optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett, Smith-Shawver is the last man standing in camp for the fifth starter job. The 22-year-old right-hander earned the assignment by posting a 20:5 K:BB through 16 Grapefruit League innings, and that strikeout potential gives him significant fantasy upside with a potent Atlanta offense at his back. Smith-Shawver will need to out-perform Grant Holmes to stay in the rotation once Spencer Strider (elbow) is cleared for his 2025 debut, however.

MARCH 24, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Could be part of initial rotation Smith-Shawver was bumped from his Grapefruit League start Thursday and will pitch instead against the Rays on Friday, a move that suggests he's being put on schedule to start March...

Impact Atlanta begins the regular season with seven straight games before getting a day off, and with the workloads for Chris Sale and Reynaldo Lopez both under scrutiny, it seems likely the team will use a six-man rotation during that stretch. Smith-Shawver has been battling Ian Anderson for the fifth starter job, so the fact that he might work game No. 5 could be a sign he's in the lead for that assignment, although the battle looks like it will extend into the regular season. The 22-year-old top prospect has also been more effective than Anderson this spring -- Smith-Shawver has a dazzling 18:3 K:BB through 12 innings without allowing a homer, while Anderson has issued a ghastly 18 walks against only eight strikeouts in 17 Grapefruit League frames. Whoever winds up filling the last spot in the rotation once it's trimmed down to five may only be keeping it warm for Spencer Strider (elbow), who is targeting an April debut in 2025.

MARCH 21, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Impressing in camp Smith-Shawver, who struck out eight over four innings in Saturday's start against the Twins, could make the Opening Day roster even if Atlanta also carries Grant Holmes and Ian And...

Impact He gave up two runs on six hits and zero walks in his most recent start, building up to a spring-high 75 pitches (55 strikes). Smith-Shawver seems to be a better bet than Anderson to provide fantasy value if given the opportunity, and Bowman notes that Atlanta plays seven straight days to open the season, so it could make sense for the team to break camp with six starters in case any of the first five stumble and length is needed from the bullpen. Anderson being out of options tips the scales in his favor, but Smith-Shawver's impressive spring training shouldn't be overlooked. He has specifically impressed by leaning on his secondary pitches when he gets behind in counts, showing that he can throw all four pitches for strikes.

MARCH 18, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Still in mix for rotation spot Smith-Shawver has a 3.38 ERA and 10:3 K:BB through eight Grapefruit League innings this spring as he attempts to win a spot in Atlanta's Opening Day rotation.

Impact Grant Holmes and Ian Anderson were viewed as the favorites for the final two spots coming into camp, as both are out of minor-league options. Anderson has struggled to find the plate however and has stumbled to a 5:9 K:BB in his eight spring innings, although he's minimized the damage by giving up just two hits. If Atlanta eventually decides he isn't up to the task, it could open the door for the 22-year-old Smith-Shawver to break camp on the 26-man roster. More likely, the young righty will return to Triple-A Gwinnett to begin the campaign, where he posted a 4.86 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 104:40 K:BB over 87 innings in 2024.

MARCH 12, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

In mix for starts Smith-Shawver will get a chance in training camp to win a rotation spot, and figures to get opportunities early in the season even if he begins the year back at Triple-A Gwinnett,...

Impact With Spencer Strider (elbow) set to begin the season on the IL, Grant Holmes and Ian Anderson are penciled into the final two spots in the rotation headed into the spring. Smith-Shawver will get a look too however, and the 22-year-old right-hander has by far the best raw stuff of that trio if he can learn to harness it more consistently. He made only one regular-season appearance for Atlanta in 2024, tossing 4.1 scoreless innings against the Cubs on May 23 with a 4:2 K:BB, but he strained his oblique during that start, missed six weeks and was never able to regain his form afterward. While his 4.86 ERA in 87 innings at Gwinnett last year wasn't very impressive, it came with a 104:40 K:BB. If Smith-Shawver puts together an impressive camp, he could force his way into the back of Atlanta's Opening Day rotation.

FEBRUARY 7, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Named Game 1 starter Smith-Shawver will start Tuesday in Game 1 of the National League Wild Card Series against the Padres, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Impact With a doubleheader Monday and Chris Sale (back) unavailable, Atlanta's options for Game 1 were limited. Smith-Shawver made just one regular-season start with the big club, tossing 4.2 frames back in May versus the Cubs. Atlanta no doubt will have Smith-Shawver on a very short leash Tuesday.

OCTOBER 1, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

On wild-card roster Atlanta recalled Smith-Shawver from Triple-A Gwinnett on Tuesday.

Impact Smith-Shawver will be part of the club's wild-card series roster against the Padres and he and Bryce Elder are the candidates to draw the start in Game 1. The young right-hander has made just one start with the big club this season, tossing 4.1 scoreless innings versus the Cubs back in May.

OCTOBER 1, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Option for Game 1 Smith-Shawver could start Game 1 of the wild-card series against the Padres on Tuesday, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Impact Bowman notes that Bryce Elder and Ian Anderson are two other options for Atlanta in Game 1, and it seems the club is content with keeping its pitching plans behind closed doors until closer to first pitch. Smith-Shawver made one start during the regular season, tossing 4.1 scoreless innings May 23 against the Cubs.

OCTOBER 1, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Optioned to Gwinnett Atlanta optioned Smith-Shawver to Triple-A Gwinnett on Wednesday.

Impact Just one day after returning from the 15-day IL, Smith-Shawver will now head back to the minors without making an appearance for the big-league team. He threw 4.1 scoreless innings during his lone appearance with Atlanta on May 23, though he's posted a 6.10 ERA in eight starts in the minors. Dylan Lee will come up from Triple-A to fill Smith-Shawver's spot in the bullpen.

JULY 10, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Rejoining Atlanta as reliever Atlanta plans to activate Smith-Shawver (oblique) from the 15-day injured list prior to Tuesday's game in Arizona, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Impact Smith-Shawver had been slated to make his second rehab start Tuesday with Triple-A Gwinnett, but he will rejoin the big club instead to offer length in the bullpen. The young right-hander struck out four and allowed one run over two innings in his lone rehab appearance last week with High-A Rome. Smith-Shawver went 4.1 shutout frames in his lone start this season for Atlanta back in late May before exiting with a strained oblique.

JULY 9, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Cleared for rehab assignment Smith-Shawver (oblique) will begin a rehab assignment with High-A Rome on Wednesday.

Impact Smith-Shawver was diagnosed with a Grade 2 left oblique strain back in late May but has been cleared to return to game action. The young right-hander should be an option for Atlanta's rotation shortly after the All-Star break if all goes well, although it's possible he'll remain in the minors rather than rejoin the major-league club.

JULY 3, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

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Braves take road losing streak into matchup against the Rays

Mervis hits two home runs as Marlins down Braves 4-0

Pivetta brilliant in debut for Padres, who beat Braves 5-0 for 4-game sweep

Braves try to stop road skid, face the Padres

MLB rookie power rankings: Which prospects are poised to make an immediate impact?