AJ Smith-Shawver keeps making the decision harder for the Braves.
Atlanta’s rotation has plenty of questions right now, even with Chris Sale still doing Chris Sale things at the top. Beyond him, the group has been shaky enough that every encouraging development matters. Smith-Shawver’s latest rehab start on Thursday night was exactly that kind of development.
He worked four innings against the Iowa Cubs, and it might have been his sharpest outing since beginning the rehab process. Smith-Shawver threw 86 pitches, struck out five, allowed just two hits, and reached triple digits with his fastball three times. The stuff looked close to the electric version he was showing in Atlanta before the elbow injury that hit in 2025.
AJ fans five!
pic.twitter.com/oEX7H1rT4o
- Gwinnett Stripers (@GoStripers) July 24, 2026
That kind of outing only adds pressure on the Braves to act soon. GM Alex Anthopoulos said earlier this week the team would take a serious evaluation after Smith-Shawver’s next rehab start, but Thursday’s performance made the case for skipping the waiting game. Once a pitcher gets near that 90-pitch mark, he’s in the conversation for a return, and Smith-Shawver is there now.
The bigger issue for Atlanta is simple: the rotation could use a jolt, and Smith-Shawver has the kind of arsenal that can provide one. The upper-90s fastball and splitter were enough to overwhelm Triple-A hitters, and at some point the Braves need to see how it plays against big league lineups again.
Before the injury in June, the 23-year-old was in the middle of a promising stretch. He had thrown a little more than 44 innings with a 3.86 ERA and 3.90 FIP. The command still comes and goes, but the upside is obvious enough to imagine him giving Atlanta something it badly needs.
If the Braves decide on one more rehab outing, the next step would come after the trade deadline and, ideally for Atlanta, after any outside help is added to the rotation. That next start would also come against the Miami Marlins at Truist Park, a much friendlier setup than what he just handled in Triple-A.
For now, Smith-Shawver is doing his part. With every rehab start, he looks a little more ready, and the Braves may not have much choice left.
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