Braves Make Strategic Move: Jose Azocar Joins the Roster as AJ Smith-Shawver Heads to 60-Day IL

The Atlanta Braves made a notable roster move today by selecting outfielder Jose Azocar for the major league team. Just two days ago, Azocar elected free agency after being released by the Mets. He signed a minor league deal with Atlanta and is now stepping up to the big leagues.

In a concerning twist, right-handed pitcher AJ Smith-Shawver has been moved to the 60-day injured list due to an elbow strain. He initially landed on the injured list after a rough outing in a doubleheader and will now be out for at least two months.

The Braves also placed outfielder Stuart Fairchild on the 10-day injured list after he dislocated his pinkie finger. To add more depth, they optioned righty Michael Petersen to Triple-A Gwinnett and recalled left-handed pitcher Dylan Dodd.

Azocar, who is 29, played 12 games for the Mets this year, hitting 5-for-18 with all singles. Over his four seasons in the league, mainly with the Padres, he has a career batting average of .245, with two home runs and 19 stolen bases in 417 plate appearances. He is known for his strong defense and base running, similar to Fairchild, who he will be replacing. Interestingly, Azocar is slightly faster, averaging 28.9 ft/sec compared to Fairchild’s 28.7 according to Statcast.

However, when it comes to hitting, the two have different strengths. Fairchild has performed well against left-handed pitchers throughout his career, while Azocar has better stats against righties.

Smith-Shawver’s injury adds to the Braves’ challenges this season. He was seen as a top prospect and had an impressive start with a 2.33 ERA and a strikeout rate near 25% in his first seven starts. However, his last two outings have not gone well, raising concerns about his health and performance.

In addition to Smith-Shawver, key pitchers Reynaldo Lopez and Joe Jimenez are also on the 60-day injured list. The Braves have faced a tough season medically, with absences from star players like Spencer Strider, Ronald Acuña Jr., and Sean Murphy, although they are currently active.

As the Braves navigate these lineup changes and injuries, they continue to seek ways to stay competitive in the league. With the MLB season in full swing, fans are hoping for a quick recovery for their injured players and a strong performance from the new additions like Azocar.

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