Braves’ Smith-Shawver Nearing Live Hitter Work as Waldrep and Schwellenbach Progress in Rehabs

Overview

• Manager Walt Weiss said Smith-Shawver is throwing high-intensity bullpen sessions and will begin facing live hitters soon, the last step before a minor-league rehab assignment.
• Hurston Waldrep has already begun a rehab stint with a first rehab start completed, placing him slightly ahead of Smith-Shawver in the return timeline.
• Spencer Schwellenbach is following a staged throwing program after bone-spur removal and has progressed from 60-foot flat-ground work toward longer throws and mound work.
• The Braves, who sit 42-20, project that reinforcements could return as soon as July but emphasize there are no firm timetables and each step must be cleared to avoid setbacks.
• If all three arms return, Atlanta could shift roster roles such as moving swing starter Grant Holmes to the bullpen and ease workloads on veteran starters while accounting for each pitcher’s different medical history.