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    AJ Smith-Shawver struggles through 4 1/3 in return

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    ATL Starting Pitcher #32
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    AJ Smith-Shawver surrendered four runs in 4 1/3 innings Wednesday versus the Twins.

    Smith-Shawver averaged 96.8 mph with his fastball during his seven Triple-A starts and 97.2 mph in his one start for the Braves last month, but he didn’t show that kind of stuff today. He averaged 95.0 mph with his 20 fastballs, and the 31 splitters he threw were 2.8 mph slower than they were a few weeks ago. Maybe it was a one-time blip, but if not, he’s going to be a whole lot less interesting down the stretch. He’s supposed to stay in the rotation and face the Dodgers next week.
Are the Yankees still the AL's best bet?
Trysta Krick and Vaughn Dalzell break down the AL pennant odds and explain why the Yankees remain favorites despite pressure from the Rays and Red Sox.

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  • ATL Starting Pitcher #32
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    Now it’s official. Smith-Shawver will come back up to start for the Braves on Wednesday after he was removed from Triple-A Gwinnett’s probable pitchers earlier today. He’s a splitter-heavy righty with above average velocity who could find success. In his season debut against the Mets, his fastball jumped up two ticks to 97 mph and that velocity held during his two starts back in Triple-A. He’s also mixed in a new sinker against right-handed batters. By slotting in the rotation on Wednesday, he’ll give Chris Sale an extra day of rest.
  • ATL Starting Pitcher #32
    Bowman reports that Herick Hernandez is meant to start for Triple-A Gwinnett tonight now in lieu of Smith-Shawver, which would free him up to be recalled and pitch in the big leagues tomorrow. Rumored to return to the majors since his season debut against the Mets three weeks ago, he has 13 strikeouts, four walks, and allowed two earned runs over 11 innings in two starts since. He’d be moderately interesting if or when he’s formally promoted.
  • ATL Starting Pitcher #32
    Smith-Shawver has allowed just two runs while recording a 13/4 K/BB ratio across 11 innings in a pair of starts since being sent back to Triple-A Gwinnett in late July. He allowed two runs over 4 1/3 innings during his season debut back on July 29. Weiss added that he doesn’t want to move to a six-man rotation, so they’re going to have to make a decision with the rest of their established arms before bringing Smith-Shawver back in the near future. He’s worthy of a speculative roster spot in deeper mixed leagues based on his prospect pedigree and recent performance.
  • ATL Starting Pitcher #32
    The Braves are going to have some tough decisions to make in the near future since Smith-Shawver has spent more than 15 days back in the minors since being demoted last month. The 23-year-old former top prospet could make his next start for Atlanta early next week, depending on how they want to construct their rotation for the final six weeks of the season. He’s looked sharp in his return from last year’s Tommy John surgery and is worthy of a speculative stash in deeper mixed leagues.
  • ATL Starting Pitcher #32
    He also struck out six and walked four while throwing 55 of his 89 pitches for strikes. Smith-Shawver was used as the 27th man in the Braves’ doubleheader last week, which meant he headed back to the minors after the game. The Braves kept him on schedule during a trade deadline in which they tried to trade for Jacob deGrom and Logan Webb. Considering the Braves only came away with Tyler Mahle, Smith-Shawver still has a clear path to a rotation spot. The expectation is that he may make one more start in Triple-A to continue shaking some of the rust, and then he should be up in the big leagues for the remainder of the season.
  • ATL Starting Pitcher #32
    Smith-Shawver heads back to the minors after allowing two runs over 4 1/3 innings during his season debut against the Mets in the opening contest of Wednesday’s doubleheader. There was some hope that he would stick around after serving as the club’s 27th man for the twin bill. The 23-year-old former prospect showed some intriguing stuff in his return from last year’s Tommy John surgery, flashing a mid-to-upper 90’s heater with a much harder splitter and slider combination. There’s enough intrigue here that fantasy managers should keep him on their watch lists heading into the final two months. It’s possible he’s brought back to the big leagues to take the ball against the Marlins next week.
  • ATL Starting Pitcher #32
    Smith-Shawver got the ball for Game 1 of Wednesday’s doubleheader, striking out four while walking two. He threw 69 pitches, including 43 for strikes. His four-seamer averaged 97.2 mph, topping out at 99.6. It remains to be seen how Atlanta will handle his workload the rest of the season, including when he pitches again. Monday’s trade deadline could also shake up the team’s rotation. His next start lines up at home against the Marlins if he stays on schedule.
  • ATL Starting Pitcher #32
    He’ll serve as the 27th man and start Game 1 in Wednesday’s doubleheader against the Mets. By using him as the 27th man, the Braves won’t need to wait 15 days to recall him from the minors. That likely means that he will head back to Triple-A after this start so that the Braves can keep another reliever. We would then fully expect Smith-Shawver to come back up and join the rotation full time for his next start.
  • ATL Starting Pitcher #32
    Chris Sale, who was supposed to start on Tuesday before the game was postponed, will start Game 2 of the doubleheader on Wednesday, but the Braves have not yet listed a starter for Game 1. It seems that Smith-Shawver, who threw 86 pitches on Thursday in his last rehab start for Triple-A Gwinnett, will be an option. That would either push Grant Holmes to Thursday or move him out of the rotaiton.
  • ATL Starting Pitcher #32
    Smith-Shawver struck out five and walked one while throwing 54 of his 86 pitches for strikes. The 23-year-old averaged 97.5 mph on his four-seam fastball, which is up two mph from what we’re used to seeing. His slider was also up four mph, so there may have been a hot gun at the stadium, but he posted a 22 percent whiff rate overall in what was a solid outing. He should be up in the Braves rotation next week and is probably worth a stash in all 15-team leagues. You can wait and see in 12-team leagues if you wanted.

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  • FA Relief Pitcher
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    Royals released RHP Scott Barlow.

    Barlow pitched in 11 games for Triple-A Omaha, carrying a 5.65 ERA with 15 walks in 14 1/3 innings. He’ll try to catch on elsewhere.
  • TOR Relief Pitcher #68
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    Mason Fluharty will open Friday’s game against the Yankees.

    It seems likely that Simeon Woods Richardson, who hasn’t pitched since Saturday, will be the best bet to draw a bulk role here. Ultimately we wouldn’t recommend trying to stream the win here.
  • NYY Relief Pitcher #34
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    The New York Post’s Jon Heyman reports RHP Eli Morgan has agreed to a minor-league contract with the Yankees.

    DFA’ed by the Royals last week, Morgan elected free agency after being sent outright to Triple-A. He’ll see if he can crack the back of the Yankees bullpen by the end of the season.
  • ATL Starting Pitcher #40
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    Reynaldo López (knee) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Gwinnett on Sunday.

    López has been down with left knee inflammation since late July. It sounds like he could return as a starting option for the Braves down the stretch as they try to figure out their best postseason rotation.
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    Cardinals C prospect Rainiel Rodríguez homered for Double-A Springfield on Thursday.

    Rodriguez became the sixth player to hit 15 or more homer runs at Double-A as a teenager Thursday night, joining a list of: Giancarlo Stanton, Fernando Tatis Jr., Jackson Chourio, Samuel Basallo and Leo De Vries. Pretty decent company. The Cardinals catching prospect is now hitting .407/.446/.746 in August and looks like a stellar catching prospect for dynasty leaguers.
  • LAA Shortstop #9
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    Zach Neto had a monster day at the dish in Thursday’s 18-3 victory over the Astros, going 5-for-6 with a homer, double, two runs scored and a whopping seven RBI.

    Neto opened the scoring in the top half of the first inning with an RBI single off of Peter Lambert. He then chipped in an RBI single in the fourth inning that extended the Halos’ lead to 6-2. Neto broke the game wide open with a 428-foot (107.6-mph EV) three-run blast off of Bryan King in the fifth inning that made it a 14-2 ballgame. Just for fun, he added on a two-run double in the seventh inning and a single off of LaMonte Wade Jr. in the ninth. The only thing he did wrong on the night was getting caught stealing for the 11th time on the season. With his impressive five-hit night, the 25-year-old shortstop is now slashing .231/.314/.422 with 21 homers, 61 RBI and 17 stolen bases.
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    Vaughn Grissom went 3-for-6 with a double and three RBI in a lopsided victory over the Astros on Thursday evening in Houston.

    Grissom delivered an RBI single in the second inning that tied the game at 2-2, then came around to score the go-ahead run on a bunt by Tyler Heineman. He then added a two-run double in the fourth that pushed their advantage to 10-2. The 25-year-old has at least held his own at the MLB level this season, slashing .249/.308/.377 with seven long balls and 50 RBI in 329 plate appearances.
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    Moises Ballesteros went 2-for-6 with a double, two runs scored and two RBI as the Angels walloped the Astros on Thursday.

    The 22-year-old backstop served as the Angels’ designated hitter in this one. He sparked a three-run rally with a leadoff double in the second inning and scored on an RBI knock by Vaughn Grissom. He then added a two-run single in the fourth that increased their lead to 8-2 before scoring on Grissom’s two-run double. It has been a rough year overall at the plate for Ballesteros, slashing .208/.280/.325 with six homers and 25 RBI in 236 plate appearances between the Cubs and Angels.
  • LAA Starting Pitcher #21
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    Grayson Rodriguez was terrific in Thursday night’s victory over the Astros, allowing just two unearned runs on five hits over seven strong innings.

    Rodriguez struck out six batters on the night while issuing a pair of walks. It looked like it was going to be another rough outing for Rodriguez as he walked the first two batters to start the game and allowed a single to Isaac Paredes to load the bases with nobody out. He rallied to escape that threat with only a pair of unearned runs allowed and went on to allow just one hit over the next six innings. The 26-year-old hurler got 12 swings and misses on 99 offerings on the night, posting a solid CSW of 31 percent. He’ll try to keep the good times rolling and further improve upon his unsightly 6.41 ERA and 1.53 WHIP when he does battle against the Guardians on Tuesday.
  • HOU Designated Hitter #44
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    Yordan Alvarez doubled, walked and scored a run as the Astros were clobbered by the Angels on Thursday evening in Houston.

    Alvarez drew a walk in the home half of the first inning and scored on a wild pitch. He then blooped a double down the left field line to start the third inning, but never advanced past second base. He was then pulled in the fifth inning to give him a bit of a rest, finishing the night 1-for-1 officially. He’s having an unbelievable season at the dish, slashing a monstrous .319/.432/.613 with 36 homers and 88 RBI in 553 plate appearances.