Braves Implement Six-Man Rotation with AJ Smith-Shawver

The Atlanta Braves have announced a temporary shift to a six-man rotation, incorporating right-hander AJ Smith-Shawver into the lineup. This change comes as Smith-Shawver replaces reliever Tyler Kinley, with his first start scheduled against the Minnesota Twins.

Smith-Shawver, who is returning from Tommy John surgery, recently pitched 95 pitches for Triple-A Gwinnett, showcasing his readiness for the major leagues. He previously made a brief return to the majors in July and has demonstrated strong performance with a 1.66 ERA over five starts in Triple-A.

Manager Walt Weiss noted that while this rotation allows for extra rest for the starters, it also leaves the bullpen short-handed, which is not a sustainable situation. Smith-Shawver's increased velocity this season, averaging 96.9 mph on his fastball, adds to his potential as a valuable asset for the Braves.