Braves recall Ray Kerr to start Friday’s game, place AJ Smith-Shawver on injured list

AJ Smith-Shawver is headed to the injured list after making his season debut Thursday.

The Atlanta Braves announced a flurry of roster moves ahead of Friday’s series opener against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Ray Kerr was recalled from Gwinnett and will start Friday’s game. AJ Smith-Shawver was placed on the 15-day injured list with a strained oblique muscle to open up a spot on the active roster. Additionally, Atlanta signed infielder Joey Wendle to a major league contract and optioned Luke Williams to Gwinnett.

The Braves acquired Kerr from the Padres during the offseason. He made a strong impression with the club during his first stint appearing in four games while allowing three runs in 9 ¹⁄₃ innings. He pitched 3 innings on May 15 against the Cubs and then 3 ¹⁄₃ on May 19 against the Padres. Brian Snitker said after the game that they might consider stretching him out and letting him start.

Kerr was optioned to Gwinnett on May 20 so that the team could add Daysbel Hernandez to the roster as a fresh arm. The only reason Kerr was eligible to return Friday was because Smith-Shawver was placed on the injured list.

Smith-Shawver made his season debut in Thursday’s game against the Cubs and looked good allowing three hits while throwing 4 ¹⁄₃ scoreless innings. He walked two and struck out four while throwing 87 pitches.

Wendle began the season with the Mets but was recently designated for assignment. He appeared in 18 games with New York while hitting .222/.243/.250 with a 45 wRC+ in 37 plate appearances. He has a 91 wRC+ for his career and hasn’t been a league average bat since his final season with Tampa Bay in 2019. Wendle does bring some defensive versatility on the infield and has started games at second base, third base and shortstop this season.