Braves' Smith-Shawver to start wild-card opener with Sale injured

The Atlanta Braves announced pitching prospect AJ Smith-Shawver will start Game 1 of the wild-card series Tuesday against the San Diego Padres, according to Mark Bowman of MLB.com.

Smith-Shawver, the No. 2 prospect in the Braves' minor-league system, will toe the rubber after NL Cy Young favorite Chris Sale was left off the playoff roster for the opening round because of a back injury.

Atlanta was left in a tough spot with Sale out, as Max Fried or Charlie Morton would have had to pitch on short rest in Game 1. Reynaldo López also wasn't an option since he just came off the injured list and pitched in relief during Monday's doubleheader, while Spencer Schwellenbach started against the New York Mets.

Smith-Shawver, 21, owns a 3.64 ERA with a 1.11 WHIP and 7.3 K/9 over a combined 29 2/3 innings between 2023-24.

Fried will start Game 2 on Wednesday.