Smith-Shawver takes mound for 1st time in a year in rehab outing

A little more than a year since undergoing Tommy John surgery, Braves right-hander AJ Smith-Shawver has returned to game action.

Smith-Shawver made his first Minor League rehab start on Tuesday, tossing three innings for Single-A Augusta against Salem, a Red Sox affiliate. He allowed one run on three hits, struck out four and did not issue a walk. He threw 41 pitches, 29 of which were strikes.

The lone tally against Smith-Shawver came on a solo home run from Salem’s Avinson Pinto to lead off the third inning, but the righty escaped further damage with two strikeouts in the frame. He also had two punchouts in the first inning, striking out Andrews Opata and Franklin Primera swinging.

Smith-Shawver, who underwent a Tommy John procedure with Dr. Keith Meister on June 9, 2025, will still need a while to build up. But after posting a 3.86 ERA in nine starts prior to his injury with 42 strikeouts in 44 1/3 innings, the former top prospect will be a valuable arm for the Braves.

Atlanta’s rotation has been strong with a 3.85 ERA -- the eighth-best mark in the Majors -- but currently has Spencer Strider and Spencer Schwellenbach both on the injured list with right elbow inflammation. Strider will not start throwing until at least mid-July, while Schwellenbach is targeting a return late in the season.

Recent performances from Reynaldo López and Hurston Waldrep have put both players in contention for a spot in the Braves’ rotation, but Smith-Shawver could certainly earn a place as well.