Overview
- The Braves announced that right-hander AJ Smith‑Shawver officially began a rehabilitation assignment with Single‑A Augusta and is scheduled to make his first rehab start Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. ET against the Salem RidgeYaks.
- The club set the stint as a maximum 30-day rehab window that may be shortened if he progresses or extended only if setbacks occur, which places a potential major‑league return around August if all goes well.
- General manager Alex Anthopoulos said Smith‑Shawver’s build‑up work in the Braves’ Florida training facility looked promising and that the team will advance him step by step.
- As part of the roster movement tied to the announcement, the Braves transferred lefty Danny Young’s rehab assignment to Triple‑A Gwinnett to continue his own recovery path.
- Smith‑Shawver tore his UCL on May 29, 2025 and had Tommy John surgery in June 2025, and his comeback matters because Atlanta’s rotation depth has been strained by other injured starters and uneven results heading into the trade‑deadline period.