AJ Smith-Shawver impresses, is rejoining the Braves imminent?

Tons of injury news for the Atlanta Braves, as a trio of impact players could be rejoining the club in the near future.

Walt Weiss said yesterday that Acuña is ready. He’ll likely rejoin the team this weekend in Baltimore. There was a bit of a hold-your-breath moment in yesterday’s Stripers game, though, as Acuña limped to the dugout following a strikeout. There’s been no update on whether there was an actual setback, but I’ll say his reactions aren’t always the best place to look for a diagnosis. To say Acuña can be a bit theatrical at times would be an understatement, so hopefully it’s nothing to be concerned about.

Additionally, Weiss said Sean Murphy will begin his rehab assignment in Gwinnett today. The Braves have no reason to rush him back with the way Drake Baldwin and Joey Bart have handled things behind the plate, so it’s possible they give him close to a full month in Triple-A to get comfortable with the bat. We all know what he provides the pitching staff with his defense and ability to call games — that’s always been a plus, even amid his worst offensive seasons.

On the mound last night, AJ Smith-Shawver began what could be the final start of his rehab assignment. Alex Anthopoulos said recently they’d look to get him to 80 pitches before deciding on the next step, and he eclipsed that number, tossing four innings without allowing an earned run and striking out five over 86 pitches.

It wasn’t a flawless outing. His secondary offerings and control could still use some fine-tuning, so it’s possible the Braves give him another start or two on the farm. But their struggling rotation needs help, and Smith-Shawver — even at 80% — is better than a lot of what’s starting in Atlanta right now. That could force the Braves to move a little quicker than they’d probably like with a young pitcher coming off Tommy John surgery.