The Atlanta Braves announced a roster move ahead of Tuesday’s matchup against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Atlanta has reinstated AJ Smith-Shawver from the injured list. Bryce Elder, who started Monday’s game, was optioned back to Gwinnett to make room on the active roster.
The #Braves today returned RHP AJ Smith-Shawver from his rehabilitation assignment and reinstated him from the injured list. Atlanta also optioned RHP Bryce Elder to Triple-A Gwinnett after yesterday’s game.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) July 9, 2024
Smith-Shawver will presumably pitch out of the bullpen for the time being. The Braves needed 11 innings to score a comeback win in Monday’s series opener in Arizona. Grant Holmes tossed three scoreless innings while closer Raisel Iglesias logged two. Both would be unavailable for Tuesday’s game and likely Wednesday as well.
Smith-Shawver suffered an oblique injury in his season debut on May 23 while throwing 4 1⁄3 scoreless innings at Wrigley Field against the Cubs. He was originally expected to miss 6-8 weeks with the injury, but was throwing again soon after. He made a rehab appearance at Rome last week where he allowed a run and struck four over two innings. It appears that he will continue to build up out of the bullpen for now.
