Only one start after Atlanta Braves veteran Bryce Elder had an incredible performance; the right-hander couldn't get out of the fourth inning against the league's worst team. Elder only allowed four earned runs, but gave up seven hits, three walks, and only managed to pitch 3.1 innings. It was yet another reminder of the losses of Charlie Morton, Max Fried, Reynaldo Lopez, and AJ Smith Shawver. While two of these arms are still a part of Atlanta's roster, neither can be counted on to contribute in the 2025 season.
The Braves have been forced to rely on Elder, and Friday's result is a stark reminder of why this can't continue if the team is going to turn things around. While it is only one bad start, there simply hasn't been the needed level of consistency to believe the starter can fill the final spot in Atlanta's rotation. If Atlanta is able to begin to string wins together and turn things around, there is a reason to believe the team will make a change ahead of this year's trade deadline.
Bryce Elder Continues Uneven 2025 Braves Season
It is important to note that before Friday's struggles, Elder has been incredibly consistent. In five of his recent starts, the Braves haven't been forced to go to the bullpen until the 7th inning, even if Elder didn't have his best stuff. This is the type of innings-eater Atlanta so badly needed to find after losing Morton in the 2025 offseason. If this is the version of the right-hander the Braves are going to consistently get moving forward, there is hope of turning your season around with Elder in the rotation.
However, the counter to this is that Atlanta must have an incredible level of desperation to have any legitimate hopes of turning the tide. Falling as far as ten games below .500 this season, the team needs to be willing to take big swings to have a chance to make an impressive comeback.
This includes replacing a player who prior to the last two months, hadn't been a reliable option for the majority of his career. Elder has done his part in recent weeks, and yet there is still a healthy level of doubt about which version of the pitcher is going to show up the rest of the season. Making a clear case that perhaps it is time for the Braves to turn to the trade market and attempt to upgrade an already impressive rotation.