The Atlanta Braves have endured a bit of a rough patch over the last two weeks. After losing five of their past six games against the Padres and Giants, Atlanta has overall lost 12 of its last 16 games, which has caused a big tilt in the comfort level of its divisional lead.
On Tuesday, the Braves will begin a series with the St. Louis Cardinals, which is @ Truist Park. St. Louis has been playing good baseball this year, and it will be a tough series for Atlanta.
Before the Cardinals series, the Braves did announce some ‘away from the MLB club’ news, pertaining to starter AJ Smith-Shawver.
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AJ Smith-Shawver Set to Begin His Rehab Stint
GettyPHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – MAY 29: AJ Smith-Shawver #32 of the Atlanta Braves throws a pitch in the bottom of the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies during game one of a doubleheader at Citizens Bank Park on May 29, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Early Tuesday morning, the Braves announced that AJ Smith-Shawver will begin a rehab stint with Single-A Augusta:
“RHP AJ Smith-Shawver tonight begins a rehabilitation assignment with Single-A Augusta. LHP Danny Young’s rehab assignment has been transferred to Triple-A Gwinnett.”
It’s been over a year since AJ Smith-Shawver has taken the mound after a lengthy rehab from an elbow issue.
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AJ Smith-Shawver with the Braves
GettyWASHINGTON, DC – MAY 22: AJ Smith-Shawver #32 of the Atlanta Braves pitches in the third inning during a baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on May 22, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
AJ Smith-Shawver has produced some early results in just a handful of starts in his MLB career.
He’s pitched in parts of three seasons with the Atlanta Braves, including his MLB debut in 2023.
Over 15 total starts and 74 MLB innings, he holds an ERA of 3.77 with 66 strikeouts.
In 2025, Smith-Shawver made nine starts and posted an ERA of 3.86 across 40+ innings.
It’s unclear if he will even be a member of this Braves starting rotation when his rehab stint is over, but Atlanta desperately needs some stability in their rotation, and perhaps a fresh new arm to help revive the group.
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