Braves recall Ray Kerr to start Friday’s game and place AJ Smith-Shawver on injured reserve

The Atlanta Braves announced a series of roster changes ahead of Friday’s series opener against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Ray Kerr was recalled from Gwinnett and will start Friday’s game. AJ Smith-Shawver was placed on the 15-day injured list with an oblique muscle strain to open up a spot on the active roster. Additionally, Atlanta signed infielder Joey Wendle to a major league contract and offered Luke Williams to Gwinnett.

The Braves acquired Kerr from the Padres during the offseason. He made a strong impression on the club in his first stint in four games while allowing three points in 9 ¹⁄₃ sleeves. He pitched 3 innings on May 15 against the Cubs then 3 ¹⁄₃ on May 19 against the Padres. Brian Snitker said after the game that they might consider stretching him out and letting him start.

Kerr was optioned to Gwinnett on May 20 so the team could add Daysbel Hernandez to the roster as a new arm. The only reason Kerr was eligible to return Friday was because Smith-Shawver had been placed on the injured list.

Smith-Shawver made his season debut in Thursday’s game against the Cubs and looked good allowing three hits while throwing 4. ¹⁄₃ scoreless innings. He walked two and struck out four while throwing 87 pitches.

Wendle started the season with the Mets, but was recently designated for assignment. He appeared in 18 games with New York while hitting .222/.243/.250 with a 45 wRC+ in 37 plate appearances. He has a 91 wRC+ for his career and hasn’t been a league average bat since his final season with Tampa Bay in 2019. Wendle brings some defensive versatility to the infield and has started games at second base, third base and shortstop this season. .