AJ Smith-Shawver Injury News & Updates

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 face early trouble. 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.

Smith-Shawver allowed one run on one walk and struck out two over 3.2 hitless innings in a no-decision versus the Cubs.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Smith-Shawver was recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett on Sunday.

The 20-year-old 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. Smith-Shawver 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 (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.

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 could be short-term options for spot starts at the big-league level.

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.

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'll likely head back to the minors as Max Fried (forearm) is expected to return to Atlanta's rotation next week.

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.

Manager Brian Snitker said 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 starts 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. Max Fried (forearm) is nearing his return from the injured list, which could mean it's a short stay in the majors for Smith-Shawver

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.

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.

Smith-Shawver won't start Wednesday against Philadelphia as scheduled because the game has been postponed due to rain, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

The game will be made up in September while Smith-Shawver's start will presumably be pushed back to Thursday. The 20-year-old righty has allowed three earned runs through 13.1 innings to begin his MLB career.

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 impressive Thursday, allowing just one run on an Elias Diaz solo home run in the second inning. Through his first two starts (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.

Smith-Shawver is scheduled to make his next start Wednesday versus the Tigers in Detroit, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

The 20-year-old rookie will receive a second turn through the rotation after he held his own during his first MLB start this past Friday versus the Nationals, covering 5.1 innings and striking out two while allowing two unearned runs on three hits and two walks. Due to Smith-Shawver's age, Atlanta will almost certainly manage his innings to some degree this season, but he should have some stability in the big-league rotation while Max Fried (forearm) and Kyle Wright (shoulder) are both likely several weeks away from returning from the injured list.

Smith-Shawver didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 3-2 win over the Nationals, allowing two unearned runs on three hits and two walks over 5.1 innings. He struck out two.

A year ago at this time, Smith-Shawver was a teenager at Single-A just trying to harness his plus stuff and find the plate often enough to be effective. Friday, he made his first career big-league start and consistently dotted the inside corners of the strike zone with mid-90s heat while generating weak contact that his defense has some trouble corralling. The 20-year-old didn't show the dominance he'd displayed earlier this season as he made a rapid ascent through Atlanta's system, but that should come as he gets more comfortable in the majors. With Max Fried (forearm) and Kyle Wright (shoulder) out until at least the All-Star break, Smith-Shawver appears to be in line for a long look in the rotation, with his next outing potentially coming next week in Detroit.

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 20-year-old right-hander was a seventh-round pick out of high school in 2021 and had exploded to the tune of 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.

Atlanta general manager Alex Anthopoulos confirmed Tuesday that Smith-Shawver will make his first major-league start this weekend against the Nationals, Jeff Schultz of the Atlanta Journal Constitution reports.

The start will either be Friday or Saturday. Whatever the case, it's a highly favorable matchup for the young right-hander at home in Truist Park. Smith-Shawver fanned three batters over 2.1 hitless innings of relief in his MLB debut Sunday at Arizona, building on the 1.09 ERA and 45:12 K:BB he had compiled through 33 innings (seven starts) this season in the minors. The young right-hander should be rostered everywhere as he slides into Atlanta's rotation following the Monday demotion of Michael Soroka.

Smith-Shawver could make a start for Atlanta on Friday or Saturday versus the Nationals, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Michael Soroka was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett earlier Monday, freeing up a spot in the rotation. Smith-Shawver made his major-league debut in relief Sunday in Arizona after Soroka struggled and the rookie fired 2.1 scoreless frames with three strikeouts. The 20-year-old barely has more than 100 professional innings under his belt, but his upside warrants rostership in most leagues.

Smith-Shawver walked one and struck out three in 2.1 scoreless, no-hit innings of relief during Sunday's win over the Diamondbacks.

Stepping on the mound in a big-league game for the very first time, Smith-Shawver showed little in the way of nerves and fired 22 of 39 pitches for strikes while topping out at 97.1 mph with his four-seam fastball. The 20-year-old right-hander began the season at High-A before rocketing through Atlanta's system, and while he may be in a low-leverage role at the moment, it's worth noting the team had Spencer Strider in a similar long-relief role for his first 11 appearances in 2022 before shifting him into the rotation. If Atlanta follows a similar plan with Smith-Shawver, he could be on track to take on a much bigger assignment after the All-Star break.

Atlanta selected Smith-Shawver's contract from Triple-A Gwinnett on Tuesday.

Smith-Shawver has ascended to the MLB level at the ripe age of 20 after dominating to the tune of a 1.09 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 45:12 K:BB in 33 innings (seven starts) this season between High-A, Double-A and Triple-A. The young right-hander has never worked out of the bullpen in his pro career, but that seems to be the role he'll fill for the NL East leaders. Lucas Luetge was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.