Braves evaluate AJ Smith-Shawver for Opening Day roster

The Atlanta Braves are facing tough choices for their Opening Day roster, especially regarding their starting rotation. Currently, Ian Anderson is seen as the team's fifth starter. He's been given this spot not because of great performances, but because the Braves cannot send him down to the minor leagues. Anderson's spring training stats show a 2.65 ERA over 17 innings. However, his performance metrics are concerning. He is allowing 9.5 walks and only striking out 4.2 batters per nine innings. These numbers suggest he may struggle at the major league level. On the other hand, AJ Smith-Shawver has been impressive this spring. He has a higher ERA, but he strikes out 13.5 batters and has just 2.3 walks per nine innings. His pitching has improved significantly, and he throws in the high-90s with better secondary pitches. There is a possibility that both pitchers could make the Opening Day roster, especially since the Braves will play seven games in seven days against strong teams. Using a six-man rotation might give both Anderson and Smith-Shawver a chance to contribute early in the season. Smith-Shawver has shown he is currently the better pitcher, which raises questions about Anderson's role on the team. While the Braves may not want to give up on Anderson yet, they might find it hard to justify starting him when spring training shows Smith-Shawver's strengths.