Bryce Elder's recent struggles have cast a shadow over what was shaping up to be a promising season for the Braves. Entering June with All-Star ambitions, Elder now finds himself at the center of a rotation in need of serious attention.
His latest outing against the Giants saw him give up two homers to Rafael Devers, contributing to a 5-0 defeat at Oracle Park. Elder's ERA has ballooned from a stellar 1.97 to a more pedestrian 4.01, courtesy of 29 earned runs over his last 30 innings-a concerning 8.70 ERA.
"When it rains, it pours," Elder remarked, encapsulating the Braves' current predicament.
While Logan Webb's dominance limited the Braves to just one hit over seven innings, the team's struggles run deeper than a single game. With Ronald Acuña Jr. sidelined, the Braves' offense has faltered, and their rotation hasn't fared much better, posting a 6.72 ERA during a 15-game slump. Elder's performance only added to the rotation's woes, as he surrendered five earned runs and five hits in four innings, including a pivotal three-run homer by Devers that flirted with the right-field foul pole.
Manager Walt Weiss suggested that fatigue might be affecting Elder's performance, though the pitcher himself isn't experiencing any physical discomfort. Nevertheless, the possibility of midseason fatigue looms large.
If the postseason were to begin today, Chris Sale would lead the Braves' rotation, with Martin Pérez-who returned to the team after a brief stint as a non-roster invitee-slated for Game 2. For Game 3, the Braves have several internal options: Elder, Grant Holmes, who impressed with four scoreless innings of relief against the Giants; Reynaldo López, who is attempting to transition back to a starting role; and Hurston Waldrep, who recently made his season debut.
The Braves had already planned to pursue a top-tier starting pitcher before the Aug. 3 Trade Deadline, but their current struggles suggest they might need to bolster their rotation with at least two new arms.
Elder's downturn is just one piece of the puzzle. Spencer Strider's elbow discomfort, which forced him out of a June 12 start against the Mets, has left his season in doubt.
Even if Strider returns, his role as a starter is uncertain.
Despite these challenges, there's hope for Elder. From August 24, 2025, to May 22, he posted a 2.30 ERA over 18 starts, trailing only a few elite pitchers like Cam Schlittler, Cristopher Sánchez, Paul Skenes, and Sale.
"When I have a bad start, it's always terrible," Elder admitted. "But it’s about getting back on the horse and figuring out how to rattle off six, seven, or eight good ones again."
Looking ahead, the Braves face a crucial series against the Cardinals. With Holmes having pitched four innings on Saturday, the rotation for the upcoming series remains a question mark. Pérez is expected to start one of the games, while López and Waldrep could be used in tandem on Wednesday and Thursday.
Elder has shown his best form when pitching on regular rest, last doing so on June 7 against the Pirates. However, with Weiss hinting at possible fatigue, the Braves might opt to give Elder some extra rest before his next outing. The road ahead is challenging, but with strategic rest and potential reinforcements, the Braves can hope to steady their rotation and make a strong push in the second half of the season.
In Other News...
Braves Bullpen Plan Is Running Into A Problem Fans Saw Coming
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Chris Sale is a big part of the tension. Atlanta has kept him off regular rest for much of the season, and he is lined up for his fourth start of June and his first in 10 days, a reminder of how carefully the club has managed its ace while trying to cover for thinner starting depth. Add in injuries that have taken Raisel Iglesias and Robert Suarez out of the late-inning mix at different points, plus high-leverage innings that have already gone sideways, and the Braves are finding out what fans feared when the roster was built: a strong bullpen plan only works if the rest of the pitching staff can hold up around it. [Read more 🡒]
Braves Offensive Collapse Puts One Uncomfortable Question Front And Center
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Mauricio Dubon has at least given the club a modest lift with a stronger June, but the larger concern is whether the Braves are seeing a temporary slump or something more systemic as the lineup keeps shuffling. When the bats are this quiet and the available pieces keep changing, the conversation naturally drifts beyond the players on the field and toward how much responsibility still falls on the coaching staff to find answers before the season drifts any farther off course. [Read more 🡒]
Braves Make A Veteran Move As Pressure Builds During Brutal Slide
The Braves have been searching for answers during a rough stretch that has left them with 11 losses in their last 15 games, and the issues have not been confined to one area. The offense has been uneven, the starting pitching has not held up its end, and with the July trade deadline approaching, general manager Alex Anthopoulos has already signaled that the club expects to be active in the market.
Carlos Santana is part of that broader effort to stabilize the roster, bringing a long track record and some postseason pedigree from his time with Cleveland, including the 2016 World Series run. The veteran first baseman will begin at Triple-A, with the possibility of working his way into the major league picture if the Braves decide they need more help on the right side of the infield and in a potential platoon role. [Read more 🡒]