Braves’ AJ Smith-Shawver to pitch 2 innings at spring training facility

AJ Smith-Shawver will take another significant step toward his return from injury.

The Braves’ right-handed pitcher is scheduled to throw Thursday at the team’s spring training facility. Smith-Shawver is to pitch two innings.

Smith-Shawver, 23, has not pitched for the Braves since May 29, 2025, in Philadelphia when he felt pain in his throwing elbow and was removed from the third inning of a game against the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. An MRI revealed ligament damage and Smith-Shawver had Tommy John surgery June 9, 2025.

Since being selected by the Braves in the seventh round of the 2021 MLB draft, Smith-Shawver has appeared in 16 games for the club since his debut June 4, 2023. Smith-Shawver has a 3.77 ERA and 1.297 WHIP across 74 career innings in which he has struck out 66 hitters.

To start the 2025 season, Smith-Shawver had a 3-2 record with a 3.86 ERA over nine starts. His 2.33 ERA with 40 strikeouts and 17 walks in his first seven outings earned him a spot in the team’s rotation.

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