The Atlanta Braves got a much-needed win Wednesday night at Wrigley Field and will be looking to secure a series win Thursday. Brian Snitker announced after the game that right-hander AJ Smith-Shawver will start Thursday’s series finale.
Smith-Shawver will start tomorrow
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) May 23, 2024
Thursday’s start will be the season debut for Smith-Shawver. He’s made eight starts at Gwinnett and his overall numbers are ugly with a 6.10 ERA and a 6.88 FIP in 31 innings. He’s allowed four runs in each of his last two starts at Gwinnett but is coming off of an eight strikeout performance which is a season-high. Smith-Shawver appeared in six games last season (five starts) and posted a 4.26 ERA and a 3.79 xERA in 25 1⁄3 innings.
The Braves will need to make a roster move to add Smith-Shawver to the active roster. Darius Vines is also up with the big league club and was a candidate to start Thursday. Vines would be a candidate to pitch Thursday if Smith-Shawver were to get knocked out early. If he isn’t needed, then he would appear to be the favorite to start Friday’s game in Pittsburgh.
