The Atlanta Braves are off to a forgettable start to the 2025 MLB season. Even though the club's winning has picked up over the last week, a 4-10 record through the first 14 games has the Braves sitting at the bottom of the NL East ahead of Sunday afternoon's tilt with the Tampa Bay Rays.
Sometimes it takes one significant roster move to get a club back on track. Unfortunately, the Braves' latest roster decision will likely only frustrate the fanbase even more.
Braves Make Mistake By Optioning AJ Smith-Shawver Instead of Bryce Elder
Looking to shake up the club's pitching situation, the Braves announced that right-handed pitcher Michael Petersen was recalled on Sunday morning. As a result, fellow righty AJ Smith-Shawver has been optioned to Triple-A Gwinett.
Smith-Shawver, 22, is sent packing after giving up two earned runs and a homer on six hits across five innings in Saturday's 5-4 win over the Rays. The Fort Worth, TX native now finishes his first stint of the 2025 campaign with a 0-2 record and 4.61 ERA in three starts.
The #Braves today recalled RHP Michael Petersen to Atlanta after optioning RHP AJ Smith-Shawver to Triple-A Gwinnett following yesterday’s game.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) April 13, 2025
Even though Smith-Shawver hasn't been perfect this season, some Braves fans thought manager Brian Snitker would give him a bit more time to turn things around. Instead, he'll look to prove himself in the minor while Atlanta continues making the inexcusable decision to hold on to Bryce Elder.
It wasn't that long ago when Elder was one of the Braves' most promising pitchers, going 12-4 with a 3.81 ERA and 128 strikeouts across 174 2/3 innings during his 2023 MLB All-Star campaign. He failed to capitalize on that momentum one year later, struggling to find his spot in the rotation as he split the 2024 season between the Majors and minors.
Unfortunately, Elder still hasn't put things back together this season. The former University of Texas at Austin product is currently 0-1 with a putrid 7.20 ERA and 1.400 WHIP through his first two 2025 starts, which includes averaging a career-high 3.6 home runs and a personal-worst 6.3 strikeouts per nine innings.
Comparing the two seasons so far, it's clear that Smith-Shawver's demotion was a mistake when Elder is sitting right there. Even if the 25-year-old RHP is a former All-Star, that accolade doesn't mean much if he continues coming up short for the Braves on the mound. If his struggles persist, his demotion needs to happen.
Assuming that there aren't any other notable moves, Elder will likely pitch in the series finale against the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday. Hopefully, that start is better than his first two of 2025.