Change of Plans for Atlanta Braves Pitcher AJ Smith-Shawver

AJ Smith-Shawver was originally scheduled to pitch for Triple-A Gwinnett Tuesday night

Atlanta Braves pitcher AJ Smith-Shawver gets the call. / David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

Quick change of plans for Atlanta Braves pitcher AJ Smith-Shawver. The Braves have called him up, and he’s heading to Arizona to join the team. 

Smith-Shawver was originally scheduled to pitch for Triple-A Gwinnett Tuesday night. Reports first came from Jason Reese on X.

"AJ Smith-Shawver who was scheduled to make a rehab start with the Gwinnett Stripers tonight is instead on his way to Arizona!" wrote Reese. "I believe this is due to being shorthanded in the bullpen."

SOURCE: AJ Smith-Shawver who was scheduled to make a rehab start with the Gwinnett Stripers tonight is instead on his way to Arizona! I believe this is due to being shorthanded in the bullpen. https://t.co/2KgcgHWzSu

— Jasoñ Reese (@jase1129) July 9, 2024

The report was confirmed by Braves beat writer for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Justin Toscano. It is reported that he will join the Braves bullpen as well.

The Braves are indeed bringing up AJ Smith-Shawver, source confirms. He'll meet the team in Arizona, and will presumably be part of Atlanta's bullpen.

He was scheduled to pitch for Gwinnett tonight. @jase1129 on this one

— Justin Toscano (@JustinCToscano) July 9, 2024

However, there are no reports on whether he is expected to appear during Tuesday night’s game. Regardless, the Braves get to scratch a player off the long-injured list.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Smith-Shawver was optioned back to Gwinnett following Tuesday night's game against the Diamondbacks.

Smith-Shawver has been sidelined since the end of May with a left oblique strain. 

In his start for the Braves this season, he pitched 4 1/3 innings allowing three hits, two walks and struck out four. He had just been called up from Triple-A ahead of that start.

In seven career MLB games, he has a 3.64 ERA with 24 strikeouts in 29 2/3 innings of work.

Smith-Shawver made an appearance for the Rome Braves on July 3. He pitched two innings, allowing just one hit, which was a solo home run and struck out four batters. This was his first appearance in a game since his injury. 

Smith-Shawver’s call up comes following a series of roster moves by the Braves just a day ago. The Braves called up Bryce Elder to pitch Monday night’s game and optioned reliever Dylan Lee to Triple-A. 

Other recent moves include the re-addition of outfielder Eddie Rosario to the Braves lineup. 

The Braves continue their four-game series with the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday night. Chris Sale will start the game. First pitch is scheduled for 9:40 p.m. EST.