Atlanta returned Elder to Triple-A Gwinnett following Saturday's doubleheader with the Mets.

EDGE Analysis

Back in the majors for the first time since late April, Elder appeared in long relief in Atlanta's 8-5 loss in Game 1, covering 2.1 innings and striking out two while allowing three earned runs on five hits. He'll settle back into a starting role as he returns to Gwinnett, but he's unlikely to pick up additional starts with Atlanta this season unless the big club loses multiple rotation members to injury.

Elder is up as Atlanta's 27th man for Saturday's doubleheader against the Mets, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Elder had a 2.48 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 24:9 K:BB in 32.2 innings over five July starts at Triple-A. Jake Odorizzi and Max Fried will start the two games, with Elder serving as a potential long reliever if one of the starters exits early.

Elder tossed eight shutout innings Monday against Triple-A Louisville, allowing just two hits and a walk with eight strikeouts. He now has a 5.10 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 33:10 K:BB across 30 innings for Gwinnett.

EDGE Analysis

Elder was masterful, as he had a no-hitter going through six before settling for a merely excellent outing rather than a legendary one. He mostly struggled through four starts in the majors this year and has had a couple of blowups in the minors as well, but Elder still has intriguing potential. It all comes down to his control -- when it's there, he's dominant, but when it isn't, the wheels can come off quickly. Elder has issued three-plus walks in five of his nine starts this season between Triple-A and the majors; he's posted a 1.97 WHIP and 15:21 K:BB in those outings. In the other four, he's put up a 0.68 WHIP and 30:3 K:BB. That's about as stark as it gets in terms of game-to-game variance. If Elder can find a way to locate his pitches more consistently, the upside could be tremendous, but there's obviously a lot of volatility here.

Atlanta optioned Elder to Triple-A Gwinnett on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

He'll return to the minors one day after he took his third loss in as many starts, this time falling to the Rangers. After limiting the Nationals to three earned runs over 5.2 innings en route to capturing the win in his MLB debut April 12, Elder has failed to get out of the fifth inning in each of his subsequent three turns. Over those outings, he's submitted a 4.73 ERA, 1.95 WHIP and most troublingly, an 8:14 K:BB in 13.1 innings. Atlanta will replace him in the rotation with Kyle Muller, who was called up from Triple-A to start Sunday's series finale in Texas.

Elder (1-2) allowed two runs on five hits and six walks while striking out four in 4.2 innings to take the loss Sunday against the Marlins.

EDGE Analysis

Elder threw just 54 of his 96 pitches for strikes Sunday, but he was relatively effective at limiting runs. He held Miami scoreless for the first four innings before giving up a pair of runs with two outs in the fifth frame. The right-hander has now been charged with back-to-back losses, and he has a 4.30 ERA and 1.70 WHIP in 14.2 innings. He tentatively lines up to make his next start on the road against the Rangers on Saturday.

Elder (1-1) took the loss during Sunday's 2-1 defeat against San Diego, allowing two runs on three hits and five walks with three strikeouts.

EDGE Analysis

Making his second career start, Elder labored through the first two innings -- allowing seven baserunners and both runs between the two innings. The five walks are a bit concerning, though he didn't allow a free pass during his first start and didn't have an especially high walk rate in the minor leagues. He's currently set to face off against Miami on Sunday.

Elder will start Sunday's game against the Padres, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Elder was initially expected to start Monday's series opener against the Dodgers, but he'll now move up to pitch on normal rest in Sunday's matchup against a more favorable opponent. The right-hander made his major-league debut Tuesday against the Nationals and allowed three runs on six hits and no walks while striking out four in 5.2 innings. Huascar Ynoa will now be pushed back to start Monday.

Elder (1-0) recorded the win in Tuesday's 16-4 rout of the Nationals, giving up three runs on six hits over 5.2 innings. He struck out four without walking a batter.

EDGE Analysis

Making his major-league debut, Elder was sharp overall and threw 50 of 85 pitches for strikes, but he faded in the sixth inning, serving up back-to-back homers to Juan Soto and Josh Bell before a Yadiel Hernandez ground-rule double sent the right-hander to the showers. If Atlanta elects to stick with a six-man rotation for another turn, Elder has likely done enough to earn a second start, but he'd face a tough matchup Monday on the road against the Dodgers.

Elder's contract was selected by Atlanta on Tuesday ahead of his scheduled MLB debut against Washington.

EDGE Analysis

Elder will step in for a spot start with Atlanta looking to give Max Fried an extra day of rest prior to his second outing of the year. The 22-year-old righty was merely a fifth-round pick in the 2020 draft, but he looked good across the three highest minor-league levels last season. In 25 starts, he cruised to a 2.75 ERA and 1.10 WHIP, with a strong 27.7 percent strikeout rate offsetting his 10.2 percent walk rate.

Atlanta is expected to call up Elder from Triple-A Gwinnett to start Tuesday's home game against the Nationals, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Tucker Davidson was initially in line to start Tuesday, but he won't be available after covering 2.2 innings out of the bullpen in Monday's 11-2 loss in the series opener. Though Opening Day starter Max Fried would be available to take the hill on his normal four days' rest, manager Brian Snitker said after Monday's contest that the southpaw wasn't an option, according to Bowman. With Atlanta seemingly committed to using a six-man rotation to begin the season, Elder, one of the organization's top pitching prospects, will step in to fill the void. The 22-year-old righty won't be guaranteed any starts beyond Tuesday, but if he pitches well in his MLB debut, it's possible that Atlanta considers keeping him in the fold as the sixth starter ahead of Davidson, who was hit hard in relief Monday. Across stops at High-A Rome, Double-A Mississippi and Gwinnett in 2021, Elder posted a 2.75 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 155:57 K:BB over 137.2 innings.