Elder came away with a no-decision in Wednesday win over the Cardinals, allowing one run on five hits and three walks over six innings. He struck out two.
While the right-hander wasn't dominant -- Elder managed just five swinging strikes among his 99 pitches (63 total strikes) -- he did deliver his first quality start of the season. He was actually on the hook for the loss however, until Atlanta's offense woke up in the seventh inning. Elder appears to have little competition for the fifth starter role at the moment, as AJ Smith-Shawver lasted only 3.2 innings in his most recent start at Triple-A. Elder will take a 5.57 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 12:8 K:BB through 21 innings into his next outing, which lines up to come on the road early next week at Coors Field.
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Braves' Bryce Elder: Avoids loss Friday
Rotowire
Elder took a no-decision versus the Twins on Friday, allowing four runs on six hits and three walks while striking out three over five innings.
Elder didn't have much going for him throughout this start, which saw Minnesota take a four-run lead in the fourth inning. Atlanta rallied back, and its five-run eighth inning was enough to get Elder off the hook. The right-hander has allowed at least three runs in all three of his starts this season, pitching to a 7.20 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and 10:5 K:BB over 15 innings. It's not the start to the year he needed after struggling with a 6.52 ERA and 1.63 WHIP in 2024. He remains in the rotation for now and is tentatively lined up for a home start versus the Cardinals next week, but Atlanta may have to explore other options if Elder can't turn things around soon.
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Braves' Bryce Elder: Gives up five runs in loss
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Elder (0-1) took the loss against the Rays on Friday, allowing five runs on nine hits while striking out four across six innings. He did not issue a walk.
Elder started out nicely by facing just one over the minimum through two innings, but he proceeded to give up five runs over the next four frames, including a two-run home run to Danny Jansen in the fourth inning and a solo shot to Christopher Morel in the sixth. Elder was inserted into Atlanta's rotation after Reynaldo Lopez (shoulder) was placed on the 15-day injured list March 31. Elder has struggled in his two starts in the majors this season, posting a 7.20 ERA and 1.40 WHIP across 10 innings. The 25-year-old right-hander could lose his spot in Atlanta's rotation and be sent back to Triple-A Gwinnett if Spencer Strider (elbow) returns from the injured list next week.
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Braves' Bryce Elder: Can't capitalize on early lead
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Elder allowed three runs on three hits and two walks while striking out three batters over four innings in a no-decision against the Dodgers on Wednesday.
Atlanta jumped out to a five-run lead through the top of the second inning, but Elder gave two runs back on a home run by Tommy Edman in the bottom of that frame. The Dodgers didn't score in the third, but Elder served up another long ball -- this time a solo shot by Michael Conforto -- in the fourth, and he didn't return for the fifth. The right-hander's start was his first of the season, which may partly explain why he was held to 70 pitches. Elder is in the rotation as a replacement for Reynaldo Lopez (shoulder), who landed on the injured list Monday. Lopez is likely to miss at least a few months, which could open the door for Elder to make additional starts, though he may lose his rotation role when Spencer Strider (elbow) is done with the rehab stint he began last weekend.
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Braves' Bryce Elder: On Atlanta's wild-card roster
Rotowire
Atlanta recalled Elder from Triple-A Gwinnett on Tuesday.
There's a decent chance Atlanta will need Elder to either start or eat some innings in relief in Game 1 of the National League Wild Card Series versus the Padres on Tuesday, as its pitching staff is short-handed following the doubleheader Monday and due to Chris Sale's (back) injury. Elder has collected a 6.52 ERA over 10 starts in the majors in 2024.
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Braves' Bryce Elder: Could make Game 1 start
Rotowire
Elder is a candidate to start Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series against the Padres on Tuesday, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.
Elder, AJ Smith-Shawver and Ian Anderson have all been named as options for Tuesday's game, and the club doesn't appear to be in a hurry to name a starter. Elder struggled to find his footing in the big leagues during the regular season, accruing a 6.52 ERA and 1.63 WHIP with 46 strikeouts across 49.2 innings (10 starts).
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Braves' Bryce Elder: Sent back to minors
Rotowire
Atlanta optioned Elder to Triple-A Gwinnett on Wednesday, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
The transaction comes one day after Elder was rocked for seven runs over just 3.2 frames in a loss to the Brewers. Elder has posted a 6.52 ERA and 1.63 WHIP through 49.2 innings in the majors this season.
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Braves' Bryce Elder: Headed back to Gwinnett
Rotowire
Atlanta will option Elder to Triple-A Gwinnett on Wednesday, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
Elder had a tough time keeping the Brewers off the scoreboard during his spot start Tuesday, allowing seven earned runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out six batters in 3.2 innings. He now owns a 6.52 ERA and 1.63 WHIP through 49.2 innings in the majors this year, and his demotion to Triple-A could allow Grant Holmes to stick around in Atlanta's rotation until Reynaldo Lopez (forearm) is able to return from the injured list.
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Braves' Bryce Elder: Called up, will start Tuesday
Rotowire
Atlanta recalled Elder from Triple-A Gwinnett on Monday.
He'll join Atlanta's 26-man active roster as a replacement for right-hander Reynaldo Lopez (forearm), who was placed on the 10-day injured list in a corresponding move. According to Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Elder will also take over Lopez's spot in the rotation, as he's scheduled to start Tuesday in the first game of Atlanta's home series versus Milwaukee. Elder has previously made nine starts for the big club this season, delivering a 5.67 ERA, 1.54 WHIP and 40:15 K:BB across 46 innings.
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Braves' Bryce Elder: Confirmed for start Tuesday
Rotowire
Atlanta will recall Elder from Triple-A Gwinnett to start Tuesday against the Brewers.
Elder already joined Atlanta's taxi squad in Milwaukee on Monday, so it comes as little surprise that he'll get the starting nod for the second game of the series. If Elder fares well Tuesday in his return to the big club and if Reynaldo Lopez (forearm) is forced to miss his next turn through the rotation, Atlanta could have both Grant Holmes and Elder make starts against the Marlins over the weekend. The outlooks for both Elder and Holmes beyond this week are murkier, however, especially if both Lopez and Max Fried (forearm) are able to move past their current injuries. Elder has previously made eight starts for Atlanta this season, going 1-4 with a 6.35 ERA and 1.64 WHIP across 39.2 innings.
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Braves' Bryce Elder: Moves back to Triple-A
Rotowire
Atlanta optioned Elder to Triple-A Gwinnett on Sunday.
Elder served as the 27th man for Atlanta in Saturday's doubleheader with the Cardinals and started the second game of the twin bill, taking a loss while serving up six earned runs on eight hits and one walk over five innings. Though he'll head back to the minors, Elder could garner consideration for a return to the Atlanta rotation as a replacement for Max Fried (forearm), who was placed on the 15-day injured list Sunday. However, since Elder would be on only three days' rest when Fried's next turn in the rotation is scheduled to come up Wednesday, expect Atlanta to have another pitcher start that game.
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Braves' Bryce Elder: Heads back to Triple-A
Rotowire
Atlanta optioned Elder to Triple-A Gwinnett on Tuesday.
Elder was called up to make a spot start Monday. a move made to give Chris Sale an extra day of rest. After allowing three runs across five-plus innings Monday, Elder will be returned to Triple-A. Elder has a 5.71 ERA across seven starts with Atlanta, recording a 24:13 K:BB across 34.2 innings.
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Braves' Bryce Elder: Runs out of gas in no-decision
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Elder tossed five-plus innings against Arizona on Monday, allowing three runs on four hits and two walks while striking out one batter in a no-decision.
Elder was recalled from Triple-A ahead of the contest to make a spot start as Chris Sale was pushed back an extra day for rest reasons. Elder was outstanding through five frames, allowing just two hits and no runs. However, he lost that momentum in the sixth, allowing four straight batters to reach base (on two singles and two walks) to surrender a run before getting the hook. Two more runs were charged to the right-hander's ledger following his departure, souring what had been an impressive outing. Elder may return to the minors in short order with Atlanta's rotation lined up until the All-Star break.
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Braves' Bryce Elder: Decent in loss
Rotowire
Elder (1-3) allowed two runs on four hits and struck out four without walking a batter over six innings, but he took the loss in Game 2 of Wednesday's doubleheader versus the Cardinals.
Elder turned in his second quality start of the season while stepping in for a spot start. This was his first big-league outing since May 19, but it's expected he'll return to Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday after being appointed the 27th man for Wednesday's twin bill. He has a 5.76 ERA, 1.69 WHIP and 23:11 K:BB over 29.2 innings across six starts in the majors this season.
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Braves' Bryce Elder: Called up for Game 2 start
Rotowire
Atlanta appointed Elder as the 27th man for Wednesday's doubleheader, and he'll start Game 2 against the Cardinals.
The right-hander was previously announced as the starter for Wednesday's nightcap, and he's now officially been added to the roster. Elder has struggled in his five starts for Atlanta this season with a 6.46 ERA, 1.94 WHIP and 19:11 K:BB across 23.2 innings. He'll likely be sent back to Triple-A Gwinnett following the contest.
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Braves' Bryce Elder: Making spot start Wednesday
Rotowire
Atlanta will recall Elder from Triple-A Gwinnett to start the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Cardinals, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
With Tuesday's game between Atlanta and St. Louis getting pushed back a day due to rain, Elder will get a chance to make a spot start during Wednesday's nightcap. The 25-year-old owns a 6.46 ERA and 1.94 WHIP through 23.2 innings across five MLB starts this season, and he allowed six earned runs in four innings during his most recent outing with Gwinnett last Thursday.
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Braves' Bryce Elder: San Diego-Atlanta postponed
Rotowire
Elder and Atlanta will not play Saturday after the game versus the Padres was postponed due to inclement weather.
The teams will make up the game as part of a doubleheader Monday. Elder will now start Sunday instead, with Atlanta's scheduled starter for that day, Reynaldo Lopez, moving to Monday.
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Braves' Bryce Elder: Sharp in no-decision
Rotowire
Elder pitched well in Sunday's loss to the Mets but did not factor into the decision. He allowed two runs on seven hits and no walks while striking out six in 5.1 innings.
Elder fell just two outs short of his second quality start of the year. The lone damage against him came off the bat of Pete Alonso, who had an RBI single in the third and another run-scoring double in the sixth. Elder tossed 65 of 85 pitches for strikes and managed to not issue any free passes after allowing eight walks over his last 8.2 innings. The 25-year-old owns a 4.79 ERA, 1.65 WHIP and 16:8 K:BB in 20.2 innings and lines up for a home start against the Padres his next time out.
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Braves' Bryce Elder: Walks four in no-decision
Rotowire
Elder didn't factor into the decision Sunday, allowing two runs on four hits and four walks against the Guardians. He struck out two.
Elder came back to earth after a dominant 2024 debut where he held the Marlins scoreless in 6.2 innings. He walked at least four batters for the ninth time in 42 career appearances but was able to keep Cleveland from notching a single extra-base hit. Elder is tentatively scheduled for a start against the Dodgers in LA on Saturday.
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Braves' Bryce Elder: Called up ahead of start
Rotowire
Atlanta recalled Elder from Triple-A Gwinnett ahead of his scheduled start Monday against the Marlins at Truist Park.
Elder will take over the rotation spot of Darius Vines, who was optioned to Triple-A after making two starts following Spencer Strider's season-ending elbow injury. A 2023 All-Star, Elder faded down the stretch last season and missed out on a spot in Atlanta's rotation coming out of spring training, but he's looked sharp through three starts at Gwinnett, logging a 3.31 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 18:5 K:BB in 16.1 innings. While he hasn't shown the ability to make bats miss at a prolific rate (18.2 percent) over 228.2 innings in the majors, Elder has shown the ability to induce weak contact and keep the ball in the yard. He'll make for an attractive streaming option Monday versus a struggling Miami offense and could have long-term appeal in light of Strider's absence along with the fact that he'll be supported by one of the top offenses in baseball.
