Elder gave up one run on one hit and two walks over five innings in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox. He struck out six.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander tossed 49 of 78 pitches for strikes against a Boston lineup that featured Ceddanne Rafaela as its only big-league regular. Elder looks just about ready for the start of the regular season, having posted a 12:5 K:BB and 4.72 ERA this spring over 13.1 innings, and he's locked into a rotation spot with Spencer Schwellenbach (elbow), Hurston Waldrep (elbow) and Joey Wentz (knee) all on the shelf.

Elder gave up three hits over three scoreless innings in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Tigers. He struck out one without walking a batter.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander tossed 24 of 41 pitches for strikes before turning the ball over to Joey Wentz, who also blanked Detroit over three innings. Elder and Wentz are nominally battling for Atlanta's fifth starter job, but a busy early-season schedule will likely mean the competition extends past Opening Day as the team runs with a six-man rotation for the first couple weeks. Elder has allowed one run through five innings over his first two spring appearances with a 4:0 K:BB.

Elder averaged 93.3 mph with his four-seam fastball during his spring debut Wednesday, maintaining the velocity gains he flashed at the end of last season, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 26-year-old right-hander gave up one run on two hits over two innings against the Pirates in Grapefruit League action Wednesday, striking out three without walking a batter. Elder closed out 2025 in impressive fashion, posting a 2.82 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 41:8 K:BB over his final seven starts and 44.2 innings, and more giddy-up on his fastball factored into that success. "He was popping a lot of 95s late in the season last year," manager Walt Weiss said. Elder averaged 92.8 mph overall on his four-seamer last season, but that number jumped to 93.7 mph during that seven-start stretch. He attributed the increase to work with biomechanics expert Bob Keyes, whose list of prior clients includes Hall of Famers Nolan Ryan, Randy Johnson and Greg Maddux. Elder isn't expecting to rise to that level, but if he can come close to repeating his performance over the last month-plus of 2025, he should be able to lock down a rotation spot with Atlanta.

Elder appears likely to get a start or two early in the season with Atlanta playing 13 consecutive days to begin its schedule, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Elder is battling Joey Wentz for the fifth starter role, but that competition will probably extend into the regular season with the team having to give serious thought to deploying a six-man rotation for the first couple weeks. Elder made 28 starts for Atlanta in 2025, posting a 5.30 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 131:51 K:BB in 156.1 innings.

Elder could begin the season as Atlanta's No. 5 starter with Spencer Schwellenbach (elbow) on the 60-day IL, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Atlanta's pitching depth will be tested right out of the gate, with Elder, Joey Wentz and prospect Hurston Waldrep viewed as the top candidates to fill in for Schwellenbach. Elder made 28 starts for the team in 2025, and while his overall 5.30 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 131:51 K:BB over 156.1 innings weren't very encouraging, the right-hander did have a strong finish to the campaign with a 2.82 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 41:8 K:BB over his final seven starts and 44.2 innings. Both Wentz and Elder are out of minor-league options, giving them a leg up on Waldrep for a spot on the 26-man roster -- either as the fifth starter or as a long man in the bullpen.

Elder (8-11) took the loss Wednesday against the Nationals, allowing three runs on six hits over seven innings. He struck out seven.

EDGE Analysis

While Elder was stuck with the loss, the right-hander made it through seven innings for the fourth time in his last six starts -- he's posted a 2.79 ERA in that span (38.2 innings). Elder will likely wrap up an up-and-down campaign with a 5.30 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 131:51 K:BB across 28 outings (156.1 innings).

Elder (8-10) picked up the win Friday, allowing one run on five hits over seven innings in a 10-1 rout of the Tigers. He struck out six without walking a batter.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander continued a strong finish to the campaign, serving up just a solo shot to Spencer Torkelson en route to his 13th quality start of the season. Elder has given up two earned runs or fewer in five of his last six outings, posting a 2.63 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 34:8 K:BB through 37.2 innings over that stretch. He's scheduled to wrap up his 2025 with a home start next week against the Nationals.

Elder (7-10) took the loss against the Astros on Saturday, allowing six runs on 10 hits and three walks while striking out seven across 4.1 innings.

EDGE Analysis

Elder managed to generate 17 whiffs on 89 pitches (58 strikes), but he gave up three runs in both the second and third innings, with the Astros' scoring barrage capped off by a two-run homer by Christian Walker in the third. Saturday ended Elder's streak of quality starts at four, and the 10 hits he yielded match a season high. He now sits at a 5.56 ERA and 1.45 WHIP over 142.1 innings this season. Elder will look to bounce back in his next start, which is lined up for next weekend on the road against the Tigers.

Elder (7-9) notched the win Monday against the Cubs, allowing one run on five hits and one walk in 6.1 innings. He struck out six.

EDGE Analysis

Since being torched for eight runs in his Aug. 19 start against the White Sox, Elder has gotten himself into quite the groove on the hill. The right-hander has thrown at least six innings while yielding two runs or fewer in four consecutive outings, improving his ERA from 6.29 following that Aug. 19 appearance to 5.35 for the season during that span. Elder will be trying to keep the good times rolling this weekend at home against the Astros. Through 138 innings, he has a 1.41 WHIP and 111:48 K:BB to go with the aforementioned 5.35 ERA.

Elder (6-9) notched the win Wednesday against the Cubs, allowing one unearned run on four hits and no walks in seven innings. He struck out six.

EDGE Analysis

It was the first start of the season with zero earned runs allowed for Elder, who issued no walks for the first time since his June 7 outing in San Francisco. The right-hander has been quite a boom-or-bust fantasy option over his last eight starts, during which he's permitted two runs or fewer in five outings and conceded five runs or greater in his three other appearances. Elder will be searching for some consistency in a scheduled rematch with the Cubs next week, and he carries a 5.54 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 105:43 K:BB across 131.2 innings.