Bryce

Elder

It’s not a huge surprise, as it was announced Monday that Sale was unlikely to pitch in the WIld Card series against the Padres because of his back spasms. It’s still significant, as Sale is going to win the Cy Young this year, and Atlanta’s pitching depth behind the southpaw is questionable. If Atlanta does win the best-of-three series against San Diego, Sale will be eligible to pitch in that series and beyond. AJ Smith-Shawver and Bryce Elder are both on the Wild Card roster, and both have a chance to make a start during the series.

Well, technically, it’s not a callup at this point, as much as simply adding someone to the Wild Card roster. But it’ll be a pitcher who didn’t finish the season on the major league club. MLB.com’s Mark Bowman says it’s between Ian Anderson, AJ Smith-Shawver and Bryce Elder but that no choice has been made. We doubt that’s really the case, but it’s true the Braves have no reason to reveal their pick just yet.

Elder might slide further down the Braves depth chart with Ian Anderson emerging as a candidate to make starts in September, but outings like this will help the cause. Since being sent down two weeks ago, he’s given up two runs over 14 1/3 innings in two starts for Gwinnett.

Elder has been jettisoned back to the minors after being tattooed for seven runs over 3 2/3 innings on Tuesday in a loss to the Brewers. The 25-year-old righty holds a disastrous 6.52 ERA, 1.63 WHIP and 46/17 K/BB ratio across 49 2/3 innings (10 starts) this season in the big leagues.

Things didn’t start great for Elder, who allowed three earned runs in the first inning, with the biggest blow coming on a two-run homer from Willy Adames. Elder allowed another run in the second thanks to an RBI single by Joey Ortiz and saw Adames hit another two-run shot off him in the third to push the Brewers’ lead to 6-0. It wasn’t a great night for Elder, who gave up five extra-base hits on the first six hits he allowed. Elder didn’t make it out of the fourth inning, a stark difference from the 6 1/3 innings of one-hit ball he tossed against the Brewers last week. His next start is scheduled for Sunday at the Rockies.

Elder was optioned just days ago, but is back in Atlanta with Reynaldo Lopez going on the injured list. The Braves have Monday off and now Elder is set to start Tuesday’s game against the Brewers with Chris Sale going on Wednesday and Charlie Morton on Thursday. Elder has a 5.67 ERA on the season, but won his last start which was also against Milwaukee. He could be a streaming option in deeper formats.

In sending down Elder and Nacho Alvarez Jr., the Braves have opened spots for Jorge Soler and Luke Jackson. Elder returns to Triple-A after doing an excellent job in a spot start against the Brewers last night (1 ER, 7 K in 6 1/3 IP). The Braves could bring him back if Reynaldo López suffers a setback with his arm and needs to go on the IL, but he’s not one of the top five options right now.

Elder earned his second win of the season on Tuesday after pitching 6 1/3 innings of one-run ball while striking out seven batters. It was a nice bounce-back for the young righty, who allowed six earned runs in his previous outing against the Cardinals. Elder’s lone blemish on the night came on an RBI single by Gary Sanchez in the seventh inning. It’s been an up-and-down season for Elder, whose next start is scheduled for Sunday against the woeful Marlins.

Elder is up to make a start against the Brewers on Tuesday. The 25-year-old has gone 1-4 with a 6.35 ERA over his eight starts, and doesn’t offer significant fantasy value for this start.

It’s unclear if this will be one-and-done for Elder. It could come down to how he performs. In eight starts to date this season, he’s gone 1-4 with a 6.35 ERA.