A.J. Smith-Shawver Recalled, Bryce Elder Sent Down
The Atlanta Braves reinstated top prospect A.J. Smith-Shawver (oblique) from Triple-A Gwinnett on Tuesday and optioned right-hander Bryce Elder to Gwinnett in a corresponding move, according to a source. Smith-Shawver, who was scheduled to pitch for Gwinnett on Tuesday, will meet the team in Arizona and will presumably be part of their bullpen, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Justin Toscano. The 21-year-old allowed a run while striking out four in two innings in his only rehab start for High-A Rome, so he's not quite stretched out enough to make his seventh career start in the big leagues. Smith-Shawver tossed 4 1/3 shutout innings in late May against the Cubs in his only start of the year for the Braves. Elder gave up three earned runs in five innings with just one strikeout in a no-decision on Monday in a spot start against Arizona.
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Bryce Elder has been recalled to make the start against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday. The Braves had to make a quick decision with Chris Sale having his start pushed back. Elder has struggled to the tune of a 5.76 ERA across six starts with the Braves this season. Fantasy managers should be able to find a better streaming option.
The Atlanta Braves optioned right-hander Bryce Elder to Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday after he made a spot start for the team during their doubleheader against the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday. In his sixth start of the year for Atlanta on Wednesday in Game 2, Elder was hit with a tough-luck loss (his third of the year) after posting a quality start with two earned runs allowed on four hits, no walks and four striking in six innings pitched. It was definitely a nice bounce-back performance after he allowed seven runs (six earned) on a season-high nine hits in just three innings in his previous start on May 19 against the San Diego Padres. We'll probably see the 25-year-old again in 2024 in Atlanta's rotation. In his six starts in 2024, Elder has gone 1-3 with a bloated 5.76 ERA and 1.68 WHIP with 23 strikeouts and 11 walks in 29 2/3 frames.
Bryce Elder Holds Miami Scoreless In First Start Monday
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Bryce Elder came out strong in Monday's 3-0 win against the Miami Marlins. Elder struck out four and allowed eight hits while allowing no runs in 6 innings pitched in his first start of the season. The 24-year-old started three games in the minors this season and recorded a 3.31 ERA while allowing 14 hits (one homer), six runs, five walks and 18 strikeouts in 16 1/3 innings pitched. He makes for a solid streaming option and a great roster spot if he can solidify his position in the starting rotation for Atlanta.
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Bryce Elder will start Monday's game against the Miami Marlins. Elder is coming up to give the rest of the Braves rotation some rest, but if he pitches well he could stick around as the fifth starter. The 24-year-old had a good season in 2023, going 12-4 with a 3.81 ERA and 1.28 WHIP over 174 IP. He has also looked good in his three minor league starts this season, pitching to a 3.31 ERA and 1.16 WHIP with 18 strikeouts in 16 IP. Elder's solid numbers make him a good streaming option on Monday, and if he were to stay in the majors he could stick around on fantasy teams in need of pitching help.
Bryce Elder, Dylan Dodd Could Join Braves Rotation
With right-hander Spencer Strider (elbow) out, next up from Triple-A Gwinnett for spot-start duty could be Atlanta Braves right-hander Bryce Elder, who was an All-Star in 2023 before fading in the second half in his first full season in the big leagues. Another option is left-hander Dylan Dodd, who started in the Braves' rotation last year before struggling and being sent to Gwinnett. Elder has a 2.61 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and a .211 opponents' average in his first two starts at Triple-A with 11 strikeouts, three walks and a homer allowed in 10 1/3 innings. Dodd had a 1.54 ER with 12 K's in 11 2/3 innings before he was hit hard on Thursday at Gwinnett. Darius Vines is another option. Huascar Ynoa and top prospect AJ Smith-Shawver have struggled in their first couple of Triple-A outings this year.
The Atlanta Braves have demoted starting pitching Bryce Elder to Triple-A Gwinnett. The 24-year-old was an All-Star in 2023 with a 3.81 ERA and 12-4 record over 31 starts, but the underlying stats suggested he had luck on his side and is due for regression. A rough Grapefruit League didn't do him any favors as he had a 8.25 ERA in 12 innings. The Braves have plenty of starting pitching depth, but Elder would likely be one of the first names called if someone struggles or an injury occurs. He can be ignored in all formats at the moment.
Braves' Rotation Spot Down To Reynaldo Lopez, Bryce Elder
The Atlanta Braves final rotation spot is currently down to Reynaldo Lopez and Bryce Elder, per MLB.com's Mark Bowman. AJ Smith-Shawver put forth an impressive spring but was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett on Monday. Lopez has looked excellent this spring, while Elder has yielded poor results. Elder put forth a decent 2023 season for the Braves over 31 starts, while Lopez hasn't made multiple starts in a season since 2021. Either way, whichever pitcher earns the spot will hold at least steaming appeal in fantasy leagues given the strong lineup behind them.
Atlanta Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos said last weekend that right-hander Bryce Elder will battle Reynaldo Lopez, A.J. Smith-Shawver and others for the fifth spot in the starting rotation in spring training. Lopez could be stretched out in camp to prepare for the possibility of being used as a starter at some point. Chris Sale's presence creates the opportunity for Lopez to be used as a reliever, a role in which he's thrived. Max Fried, Spencer Strider, Charlie Morton are the other members of Atlanta's current rotation heading into the 2024 campaign. The 24-year-old Elder will still be the favorite for the fifth rotation spot out of spring training, but if his second-half struggles from 2023 remain early on, he could be out of a starting job quickly. Overall in 31 starts last season, Elder went 12-4 with a 3.81 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 128 strikeouts in 174 2/3 innings.
Atlanta Braves right-hander Bryce Elder will start Game 3 of the National League Division Series on Wednesday in Philadelphia against the Phillies. Elder gets the nod over rookie AJ Smith-Shawver in a pivotal game on the road against the division-rival Phillies. The 24-year-old wasn't as good in the second half of the regular season but overall was solid with a 3.81 ERA (4.42 FIP), 1.28 WHIP, 63 walks and 128 strikeouts in 174 2/3 innings over 31 starts in his second MLB season. This will be Elder's first career postseason appearance. He wasn't very good to close out the year, so fantasy managers should expect him to have a pretty short leash if he struggles out of the gates. In his two starts against the Phils this year, Elder allowed four earned runs while walking seven and striking out six in 10 2/3 innings in two no-decisions.
