Heading into the 2026 Atlanta Braves season, starter Bryce Elder was an afterthought despite throwing the most innings for the franchise the season before. Elder owned an ERA north of 5.00 during the 2025 campaign after being a non-factor for Atlanta's rotation. There was an expectation that the franchise had moved on before injuries opened the door for Elder to step back into the rotation at the start of the season. Still, there was the initial thought that it would be a short-lived tenure with Elder's role erased as soon as Atlanta was back to full health.
Elder's series-opening win on Monday night against the Washington Nationals again served as a reminder that this narrative is quickly being erased. Despite giving up two runs in the first inning, the right-hander would pitch 6.2 innings, allowing only one earned run the rest of the way while striking out six in what was a great performance.
All of a sudden, the Braves have a welcome problem with Elder continuing to cement himself in a starting role. Spencer Strider, Hurston Waldrep, and Spencer Schwellenbach are yet to return, but it is hard to see any of this trio completely pushing Elder out of Atlanta's plans as long as he is pitching at this level.
Elder is 3-1 to start the season with a 1.50 ERA, having given up only five earned runs in his first five starts. In three of Elder's last five starts, the pitcher has gone six innings or deeper, helping keep a taxed bullpen fresh, amplifying the clear value of having the pitcher in the rotation.
Bryce Elder Making it Clear Braves Don't Have Easy Rotation Decisions Ahead
The upcoming move, coinciding with Strider's return, will shift veteran Martin Perez out of the starting rotation. The returns of Waldrep and Schwellenbach are far less clear, leaving more time for Elder to continue cementing himself as a part of the team's plans.
It is a welcome problem for the Braves, a season after the franchise was scrambling to fill innings. Elder was part of the problem rather than the solution. He had previously shown he can be a productive starter, helping set the tone for the 2023 season and earning the nod as a National League All-Star. Now, he is at least giving the managerial staff something to think about.
It seems fitting that Elder has turned back the clock to this version of himself just as Atlanta's offense is bringing back memories of the dominating production the team offered in 2023. It is a great problem to have, after Atlanta faced questions at the start of the season about whether the franchise needed to add additional depth.
Elder's resurgence is more than just one or two good outings. Now, with five consecutive starts show improvement from a season ago, and a player who could contribute to this roster for the rest of the 2026 season.
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