Braves Face Exciting Dilemma as AJ Smith-Shawver Nears Return to Big Leagues

The Atlanta Braves are, it seems, on the cusp of a truly exciting, albeit complicated, moment. Young right-hander AJ Smith-Shawver, a promising arm who's been sidelined after a significant injury, is looking absolutely ready to rejoin the big league club. It's an anticipation-filled prospect, no doubt, but it also presents a fascinating challenge for manager Walt Weiss and the Braves' front office.

Remember AJ? The talented pitcher whose burgeoning career hit an unexpected snag with Tommy John surgery back in June 2025? Well, he's back, and from all accounts, he's pitching incredibly well down in Triple-A Gwinnett. Indeed, his path back has been nothing short of impressive. He recently threw two starts, allowing a mere two runs across 11 innings of work. One of those outings? Completely scoreless. Even his most recent start, a 5.2-inning effort on Tuesday, saw him give up just two runs on two hits, while racking up six strikeouts against four walks. You see, he’s clearly building strength and shaking off that long rehabilitation rust, especially after that 27th-man start against the Mets in late July – his first taste of MLB action since way back in May 2025.

Manager Walt Weiss, speaking just this past Saturday, confirmed what many were hoping: Smith-Shawver is very much "in play" to return to the big club. The sentiment around the clubhouse, even from Weiss back on Wednesday and the previous Tuesday, has been that he’s close. But here's the rub, and it's a significant one: Weiss has made it abundantly clear he's not keen on running a six-man rotation. This means that if AJ slots back into the starting five, someone currently holding a spot will have to make way, most likely transitioning to the bullpen. Talk about a tough spot for a manager!

So, the big question is, who might be the odd man out? The current Braves rotation boasts established names like Chris Sale, Tyler Mahle, Martín Pérez, Bryce Elder, and Grant Holmes. Many eyes are on Pérez, Elder, and Holmes as the most probable candidates to transition to a relief role should Smith-Shawver join the rotation. Holmes, for instance, had a particularly rough outing just recently, getting "rocked" on Saturday night, but Weiss has stated he's staying put... for now. This situation is dynamic, to say the least, and truly underscores the pitching depth the Braves are fortunate enough to be building.

Meanwhile, elsewhere on the injury front, it's not all good news for the Braves' other rehabbing pitchers. Spencer Schwellenbach, another promising right-hander, is still navigating an "uneven" road back, dealing with lingering discomfort in his surgically repaired right elbow. He's not even close to facing live hitters yet, which is a concern. Then there’s veteran reliever Robert Suarez who, despite being cleared to resume throwing, is still a "significant distance" from rejoining the bullpen, according to Weiss. It just highlights how critical Smith-Shawver's healthy and timely return truly is for the team's overall pitching picture.

The clock is ticking, and important conversations are undoubtedly happening behind closed doors. AJ Smith-Shawver’s return isn’t just about adding another talented arm; it’s about reshaping the Braves’ pitching staff and potentially creating a new dynamic. Whether he steps confidently back into the rotation or provides a much-needed boost to the bullpen, one thing is abundantly clear: the young hurler is ready, and his presence will undoubtedly make the Atlanta Braves even stronger as they head into the crucial stretch of the season. The only question now, it seems, is exactly where he'll land.