The Atlanta Braves DFA'd reliever Lucas Luetge on Tuesday after he allowed three earned runs on Monday against Oakland. While that move was not a surprise, the corresponding move to call up 20-year-old power arm A.J. Smith-Shawver was.
Smith-Shawver, who only made two starts in Double-A before being promoted to Triple-A and only made two starts there before being called up to the majors, being promoted shows just how desperate the Braves are right now for reliable bullpen arms.
92.9 the Game Atlanta Braves Insider Grant McAuley breaks down the decision to add Smith-Shawver to the bullpen, why it's needed, and why he's able to handle the task at just 20 years old.
While the Braves bullpen ERA isn't statistically as bad as you might think, ranking 16th overall in MLB, there aren't a lot of pitchers that the fans trust right now.
Smith-Shawver, who has been a starter during his rapid rise through the organization, will come out of the pen, similar to other Braves arms who got their start in the bullpen (most notably Max Fried and Spencer Strider).
To hear all of Grant McAuley's comments, click here.