Braves place RHP AJ Smith-Shawver (oblique) on IL

Field Level Media|published: Fri 24th May, 13:02 2024

May 23, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Atlanta Braves pitcher AJ Smith-Shawver (32) pitches against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

The Atlanta Braves placed right-hander AJ Smith-Shawver on the 15-day injured list on Friday with a strained left oblique muscle.

Atlanta recalled left-hander Ray Kerr from Triple-A Gwinnett to start Friday night's series opener against the Pirates in Pittsburgh.

The Braves also signed veteran Joey Wendle to a major league contract and optioned fellow infielder Luke Williams to Gwinnett.

Smith-Shawver, 21, made his season debut on Thursday and struck out four batters over 4 1/3 scoreless innings against the Chicago Cubs. He gave up three hits and two walks before exiting the Braves' 3-0 win.

Kerr, 29, is 1-0 with a 2.89 ERA in four relief appearances this season for Atlanta. He has struck out 10 batters and walked none in 9 1/3 innings.

Wendle, 34, was released by the New York Mets on Monday after batting .222 with no home runs and one RBI in 18 games. He is a career .262 hitter with 32 homers and 220 RBIs in 667 games with four teams.

Williams, 27, has appeared in seven games for the Braves this season, going 0-for-3 at the plate with one run.

--Field Level Media