Braves should take flier on resurgent Rangers arm following AJ Smith-Shawver injury

The Atlanta Braves were dealt a devastating blow on Thursday when starter AJ Smith-Shawver felt what he described as a "pop" in his elbow. He has been placed on the injured list, but the exact severity of his injury is currently unknown. The possibility that Tommy John surgery will be required appears likely. Smith-Shawver had a 3.86 ERA in 2025.

Replacing Smith-Shawver won’t be easy, given the Braves’ lack of pitching depth, and with top prospect Hurston Waldrep scuffling in the minors. But there are a few intriguing rentals on the market that the Braves can look into. Adding a reliable starter with one year left of control would provide the Braves a suitable replacement as Reynaldo Lopez works his way back from injury and their minor-league arms (Waldrep, Drue Hackenberg and Jhancarlos Lara, among others) continue to develop. 

One such rental is Tyler Mahle. Now in his ninth season in the majors, Mahle seems to have found a breakthrough in the last year of his contract with the Texas Rangers. 

The 30-year-old righty is pitching to a career-low 1.64 ERA with 48 strikeouts and a 1.05 WHIP over 66 innings, with opponents hitting just .192 against him.