The Atlanta Braves’ approach to their upcoming roster dilemma has raised plenty of eyebrows. The team has been preparing for AJ Smith-Shawver’s return to the major league roster for some time, and many expected him to slide right back into the starting rotation. Instead, recent comments from manager Walt Weiss — including his public support of Grant Holmes — suggest the Braves may have a different plan in mind, with Smith-Shawver potentially returning as a bullpen option.
That decision would certainly be surprising. While the Braves have understandable reasons to be cautious with Smith-Shawver’s workload after his significant injury, moving him into a relief role feels like an unusual solution. The organization spent much of the season rebuilding his stamina and stretching him out as a starter, making a sudden bullpen transition seem counterproductive.
However, there may be a creative way for Atlanta to make the situation work — one that keeps Smith-Shawver prepared for a future starting role while also finding a solution for the ongoing questions surrounding Holmes.
Braves could use Smith-Shawver and Holmes in a unique tandem role
The possibility of moving Holmes to the bullpen has been discussed for some time. Even during his strongest outings, Holmes has shown noticeable struggles when facing hitters multiple times through the lineup. His effectiveness often declines the deeper he gets into games, creating challenges for a team trying to maximize every rotation spot.
Still, the Braves appear committed to keeping Holmes as a starter, meaning a full-time bullpen move does not seem likely right now. But Atlanta could potentially find a middle ground by pairing Holmes and Smith-Shawver together in a structured tandem arrangement.
The Braves could allow Holmes to handle the first three innings of a start before turning the game over to Smith-Shawver, regardless of Holmes’ performance. Smith-Shawver would then take over and provide length while continuing to build toward a larger workload as the season progresses.
Such a strategy would come with complications. A strict innings split could put extra pressure on the bullpen, especially on days when Holmes is not scheduled to start. However, if Holmes consistently works three innings, he essentially becomes a long reliever between starts, giving Atlanta another flexible arm when needed.
There could also be opportunities to adjust Smith-Shawver’s availability. If he exits early in one outing or the team avoids using him in a potential blowout situation, he could remain fresh for future appearances.
Finding the right balance will not be simple, but the Braves may have a realistic path to making both pitchers valuable pieces of the staff. A tandem approach could protect the bullpen while allowing Smith-Shawver to continue progressing toward a full-time starting role.
The more likely outcome, however, is that Atlanta sticks with Holmes in the rotation and uses Smith-Shawver as a traditional bullpen arm when he returns. If that is the plan, the Braves will need to carefully manage expectations and ensure they do not limit one of their most talented young pitchers unnecessarily.