SerpApi.Org
The Braves are set to gain a couple of reinforcements over the next couple of weeks in Martin Perez and AJ Smith-Shawver, as they continue searching for answers in their rotation.
According to Braves beat reporter Mark Bowman, Perez will be back this week, set to start Wednesday against the Padres.
Perez hit the Injured List with a forearm contusion after being struck by a screaming line drive off the bat of Juan Soto. He’s eligible to return Tuesday, and the Braves are hoping he comes back as the guy who really helped carry the rotation during the first two months, not the version that struggled over his last three starts.
The reality is Perez is probably closer to the pitcher we saw right before he hit the IL than the alternative, but he’s still a professional-type veteran who should be able to give the Braves some competitive innings while they continue to sort things out.
Smith-Shawver offers a lot more upside. He tossed 4.2 scoreless innings with five strikeouts in his last start over the weekend with the Gwinnett Stripers. His pitch count is up to 72, and the repertoire looks just as good as it did before Tommy John surgery, touching 100 MPH on the radar gun on several occasions.
Expectations always have to be tempered when discussing pitchers coming off significant arm injuries, but Smith-Shawver is making that difficult with the way he’s performing throughout this rehab assignment. Alex Anthopoulos said the plan is for him to push his pitch count north of 80 his next time out, and after that, they’ll decide whether he’s ready to rejoin the major-league club.
Because Smith-Shawver still has options, the Braves don’t have to rush him back. But with the way he’s looked, another strong start next time out might force their hand.
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