Previous to as we speak’s recreation in opposition to the Rays, the Braves introduced that the membership had optioned right-hander AJ Smith-Shawver to the minor leagues. Within the short-term, the transfer made room for righty Michael Petersen to affix the membership. Extra vital than that transfer, nonetheless, is the approaching shift within the rotation Smith-Shawver’s departure portends. As famous by a number of reporters, together with David O’Brien of The Athletic, Smith-Shawver’s departure from the energetic roster will make manner for the highly-anticipated return of right-hander Spencer Strider to the rotation on April 16 in opposition to the Blue Jays in Toronto.
Strider, 26, hasn’t pitched in simply over a yr after present process inner brace surgical procedure to exchange his UCL early final season. The precise-hander has simply two full MLB seasons below his belt, in 2022 and ’23, however in that point he posted a 3.36 ERA with a 2.43 FIP and a 37.4% strikeout price. These unimaginable stats have been sufficient to get Strider a second-place end in NL Rookie of the 12 months voting, an All-Star look, and a fourth-place end in NL Cy Younger voting throughout the 2 seasons, and the adorned fireballer now figures to return to guide Atlanta’s rotation as soon as once more now that he’s wholesome. It couldn’t come at a greater time, because the Braves have struggled badly out of the gate with a 4-11 begin to open the season. These struggles are due largely to a rotation that has misplaced Reynaldo Lopez for a lot of the 2025 season to shoulder surgical procedure and has seen reigning NL Cy Younger winner Chris Sale scuffle 6.63 ERA in 19 innings of labor throughout his first 4 begins this season.
Strider’s long-awaited return to the massive league mound means the top of Smith-Shawver’s stint within the rotation to open the yr. The precise-hander was usually serviceable for Atlanta throughout three begins, with a 4.61 ERA that clocks in just under league common and a 4.16 FIP. Whereas Smith-Shawver’s 26.2% strikeout price in these begins was stable, a 12.3% stroll price raised sufficient issues that the membership has opted to stay with Bryce Elder within the rotation regardless of his ugly 7.20 ERA in two begins in opposition to the Dodgers and Rays. That leaves Elder to pair with Grant Holmes behind the membership’s rotation in the intervening time, although Smith-Shawver, Hurston Waldrep, and Dylan Dodd all stay out there at Triple-A as potential rotation choices if Elder fails to enhance.
Strider might not be the one reinforcement the Braves are getting from Triple-A this week. O’Brien means that “all indicators are pointing to” an impending call-up for outfielder Alex Verdugo, who was signed to a $1.5MM deal three weeks in the past however has spent that point within the minor leagues catching up after lacking most of Spring Coaching. It’s doable he would’ve spent all the month of April at Triple-A, however issues modified when Jurickson Profar was suspended for 80-games because of a failed PED check. That’s left the Braves to attempt to get by with Jarred Kelenic, Stuart Fairchild, and Bryan De La Cruz within the outfield corners whereas Ronald Acuna Jr. heals up after struggling a torn ACL final Might.
Verdugo ought to assist to bolster that outfield combine considerably, giving the Braves a extra confirmed veteran to deal with left area instead of Profar whereas he serves his suspension. Whereas he posted a lackluster 83 wRC+ with the Yankees final yr, he had been a persistently league common bat for the Purple Sox in every of his 4 seasons with the membership previous to that, hitting .281/.328/.444 (105 wRC+) general throughout his time in Boston. Whether or not Verdugo will in the end be a part of the Braves in Toronto for his or her sequence in opposition to the Blue Jays or as an alternative be known as up subsequent weekend for his or her sequence in opposition to the Twins stays to be seen, however O’Brien signifies that Verdugo’s return to the majors seems to be imminent.
