Bryce Elder remains one of the more polarizing players on the Atlanta Braves. After earning an All-Star selection during a strong first half of a previous season, he’s since been inconsistent—reliable at times, and a liability at others. Now, with ace Spencer Strider nearing a return, the Braves have opted not to push their luck any further.
Despite Elder’s recent stretch of solid outings—29 innings pitched over five starts with a respectable 3.10 ERA and 3.79 FIP—the team has chosen to send him back to the minors. His recent results have been decent, especially for a back-end starter, but the lack of strikeout potential and tendency for rough outings made the front office wary of relying on him long-term.
With Elder still having minor league options, the Braves prioritized roster flexibility. Following a win over the Nationals, they made the move official, optioning Elder to Triple-A. This decision paves the way for Strider’s return and gives Atlanta space to add an extra reliever to the bullpen in the short term.
Elder’s ability to generate ground balls when his slider is working could earn him another opportunity later this season—especially with Grant Holmes offering inconsistent results in the rotation.
Braves fans can expect the team to start looking more like the one projected at the beginning of the year, with key players returning from injury. The hope now is that these roster moves will spark the kind of performance that re-establishes Atlanta as a true contender.
