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NORTH PORT, Fla. — The Atlanta Braves have optioned top prospect AJ Smith-Shawver to Triple-A Gwinnett, moving closer to settling on their pitching staff for opening day. The move was not surprising, given the 21-year-old right-hander's inexperience. It clears the way for the Braves to pick between Bryce Elder and Reynaldo López for the fifth spot in the starting rotation. Smith-Shawver was optioned after giving up seven hits and four earned runs in three innings of a spring training game against the New York Yankees.
