AJ Smith-Shawver is back in Atlanta’s rotation, and for now, that’s where the Braves need him. His first outing was only 4.1 innings, but the stuff is there, and the rotation around him is thin enough that he should get a real chance to settle in as he works his way back from injury. That remains true even with the trade deadline approaching, because reinforcements could still arrive before his next turn comes around.
Outside of Chris Sale, the Braves’ rotation is hanging together piece by piece. Bryce Elder has given them serviceable innings.
Martin Perez has brought veteran stability. Grant Holmes has spent two years doing admirable fifth-starter work in a role that really looks more like a reliever’s.
Reynaldo Lopez, at this point, is a question mark. Against that backdrop, Smith-Shawver has enough talent and enough current value to stay in the majors rather than be buried in Triple-A.
He will head back to AAA after serving as the doubleheader’s 27th man, but the Braves have every reason to keep him in the mix.
There was also bad news on the prospect front. Tate Southisene, the Braves’ 2025 first-round pick and one of the organization’s rising names, landed on the 7-day IL after being hit by a pitch in the hand during his AA debut. The severity of the injury is not known.
As for the doubleheader itself, Smith-Shawver turned in a solid but brief start in game 1, though Atlanta dropped that one. Game 2 belonged to Chris Sale and Matt Olson, who helped the Braves take the nightcap.
Around the league, the Angels and Rangers also got together on an inter-division trade as the trade chatter continues to build.
In Other News...
Braves Make Another Infield Move As Shortstop Pressure Builds
The Braves added another layer to their infield depth chart by bringing Kyle Farmer back on a minor league contract and sending him to Triple-A Gwinnett. Farmer had been released last week after getting only a brief look in the majors this season, and the move gives Atlanta a familiar glove to stash in the system while the club keeps sorting through its options around the diamond.
Shortstop remains the spot drawing the most attention, with the Braves carrying a roster mix that makes easy fixes hard to find. The bench is tight, rookie Jim Jarvis has struggled on both sides of the ball, and the market does not appear to offer many clean answers, especially if Atlanta wants to chase a name that would cost a major return. [Read more 🡒]
Braves Deadline Pressure Could Force A Move Fans Never Expected
With the trade deadline approaching, the Braves are still weighing how far they want to go to shore up a roster built to win now. Pitching remains the clear priority, with rotation help and bullpen depth sitting ahead of any offensive upgrade, though there is still some interest in a left-field and DH platoon bat if the right fit emerges. For a front office led by Alex Anthopoulos, that kind of balancing act matters, especially with his history showing a more aggressive style in Toronto than the steadier, more measured approach he has usually taken in Atlanta.
The pressure is not just about the current race, either. A potential MLB lockout has added another layer to the deadline calculus, and that could make this a moment when the Braves decide to act differently than they have in years past. Anthopoulos has generally preferred to avoid forcing a deal, but the combination of a tight competitive window and uncertainty beyond this season is creating the kind of backdrop that can push even a cautious front office toward a bolder move. [Read more 🡒]
Braves Just Created A New Divide Between Two Top Infield Prospects
The Braves have nudged their two highest-profile infield prospects onto different tracks, with Tate Southisene moving up the ladder and Alex Lodise heading back to a familiar stop. Southisene, the clubs first-round pick in the 2025 MLB Draft, has been pushed to Double-A Columbus, while Lodise, taken in the second round, is returning to High-A Rome after a solid run in Single-A during 2026.
For Atlanta, the split is a reminder that prospect development rarely moves in lockstep, even for players drafted in the same class and likely to be compared for a long time. Lodise will begin a second stint with the Emperors, where the Braves can see whether his offensive production carries over again, while Southisene gets a tougher test against older competition and a chance to keep climbing ahead of the pack. [Read more 🡒]