Elder allowed one unearned run on five hits and a walk through six innings during Friday's loss to Houston. He struck out six and did not factor in the decision.

EDGE Analysis

After the Astros tallied a run in the first frame, Elder settled in for another great performance. He worked around a few small threats throughout the rest of the contest and was in line for the win before Atlanta's bullpen fell apart late. The 23-year-old righty lowered his ERA to 1.14 with a 23:7 K:BB through four starts. He's already turned in three outings without allowing an earned run. Elder is lined up to face Miami at home next week.

Elder (2-0) earned a victory over Kansas City on Saturday, allowing three runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out four batters over 5.1 innings.

EDGE Analysis

Elder wasn't nearly as successful as in his first two outings of the campaign, when he hurled 12.1 scoreless innings. The right-hander nonetheless managed his way to a win, holding the Royals to just one run over his first four frames and departing in the sixth with a three-run lead. One of the runs charged to him came after he departed, and Elder again showed a solid arsenal in racking up 13 swinging strikes. He has forced his way into Atlanta's rotation by winning two of his first three starts while posting a 1.53 ERA over his first 17.2 frames.

Elder allowed six hits and a walk over 6.1 innings during Monday's extra-inning win over the Reds. He struck out seven and did not factor in the decision.

EDGE Analysis

Elder was in line for his second win before Atlanta's bullpen blew a lead in the ninth inning. He worked out of a few potentially dangerous situations to keep the Reds off the board. Elder forced 14 swinging strikes on 103 total pitches, including seven with the slider. He's fired 12.1 shutout frames with a 13:4 K:BB through two starts. Elder is currently lined up to start in Kansas City this weekend.

Elder (1-0) picked up the win in his season debut Wednesday, allowing two hits and three walks over six scoreless innings in a 5-2 victory over the Cardinals. He struck out six.

EDGE Analysis

The 23-year-old right-hander threw only 47 of 79 pitches for strikes but kept St. Louis' hitters from making much hard contact, and Elder made a strong case to remain in the Atlanta rotation while pitchers like Max Fried (hamstring) and Kyle Wright (shoulder) are on the shelf. At the very least, Elder should make one more start next week at home against the Reds before Wright's projected return April 11.

Elder was recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett by Atlanta on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Elder will slide into Atlanta's rotation Wednesday versus the Cardinals in place of the injured Max Fried (hamstring). He should get at least one additional start as Fried recuperates, although that could depend on how he, Dylan Dodd and Jared Shuster perform and when Kyle Wright (shoulder) returns.

Elder is the most likely candidate to get called up when Max Fried (hamstring) is placed on the injured list, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ian Anderson was the other option, but he got hammered for three home runs in two-thirds of an inning Sunday for Triple-A Gwinnett. Elder didn't have a great beginning to his season either, allowing four runs over six innings for Gwinnett on Friday, but he'll be on schedule to step into Atlanta's rotation Wednesday against the Cardinals.

Elder was optioned Tuesday to Triple-A Gwinnett by Atlanta.

EDGE Analysis

Both Elder and Ian Anderson were optioned to Triple-A by Atlanta, so it will be interesting to see what the plan is for the club in terms of a fifth starter. Elder was bidding for a spot in that rotation, but it appears the right-hander will begin the season in the minors. It seems likely that Elder will still make starts for Atlanta at some point in 2023.

Elder gave up one hit and struck out three over three scoreless innings in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros.

EDGE Analysis

Facing a Houston lineup that contained the likes of Jose Altuve, Kyle Tucker and Alex Bregman, Elder fared much better than he had in his first spring start. The 23-year-old righty is very much in the mix for an Opening Day rotation spot, and he might even be the favorite at the moment with Mike Soroka (hamstring) still having trouble staying healthy and Ian Anderson scuffling so far in camp.

Elder is scheduled to make his second Grapefruit League start Friday against the Astros, Justin Toscano of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

EDGE Analysis

Elder said he felt rushed while adjusting to the new pitch clock in his spring debut Sunday, when he was lit up for four earned runs over just 1.2 innings versus the Yankees. Fighting for the final spot in Atlanta's season-opening starting rotation, he'll look to show more comfort and command Friday afternoon against the reigning World Series champs. Ian Anderson is Elder's primary competition for that No. 5 starter role.

Elder (2-4) took the loss Monday, giving up four runs on six hits and a walk over five innings as Atlanta fell 4-0 to the Marlins. He struck out five.

EDGE Analysis

The rookie right-hander wasn't able to take advantage of a soft matchup, getting tagged for a pair of runs in the first and third innings while getting no run support. Elder fired 67 of 98 pitches for strikes, and he still sports an impressive 1.75 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 23:6 K:BB through 25.2 innings in September, although all four of his starts have come against the Marlins or Nationals -- not exactly playoff-caliber competition.