Three months ago, 20-year-old right-hander AJ Smith-Shawver was on the roster for the Class-A Rome Braves
On Friday night, the Atlanta Braves rookie will continue his meteoric rise through the organization when he makes his first major league start, facing the visiting Washington Nationals in the opener of a three-game series
The Braves have won five straight games after a dramatic 13-10, 10-inning win over the New York Mets on Thursday. The Nationals, who have lost four straight, had their scheduled Thursday home game against the Arizona Diamondbacks postponed because of hazardous air quality caused by Canadian wildfires
Smith-Shawver (0-0, 0.