Right on the heels of Jurickson Profar's 80-game suspension was the news that the Atlanta Braves would be without starter Reynaldo Lopez for some time. The starter is now on the IL with Bryce Elder taking his roster spot and place in the starting rotation. It is a short-term answer as the Braves evaluate what to do in a rotation that is suddenly appearing very shaky.
The team's decision to jettison Ian Anderson isn't aging well, as they are now desperate for starting options. Atlanta hopes that Lopez will be able to return at some point this season but has no definite timetable at this time.
Lopez is expected to undergo a procedure on his shoulder, which will offer more insight into a possible return. For now, however, Atlanta is without Lopez and stuck looking at potential answers both in-house and at possible outside additions.
1. Bryce Elder
The first starter to get a chance to take Lopez's role in the rotation is Elder. If there is one thing Atlanta has been able to rely on the starter for over the last year it is the fact he won't miss many bats. After an incredible start in the 2023 season, Elder became an All-Star and looked on his way to cementing a long-term role in Atlanta's rotation.
Elder's second half of the 2023 season cast a lot of doubt on this, with the answer becoming obvious quickly the following year. There is a reason the team went with the less experienced options in Grant Holmes and AJ Smith-Shawver coming out of spring training. There isn't any reason to believe the team can rely on Elder to be an answer beyond a pinch start or two.
Perhaps, Elder can finally make adjustments and turn back the clock to the starter he was for the first part of his career. This seems incredibly unlikely in a season that has defined unlucky. Elder is Atlanta's answer for now; how long that lasts is up for debate.