Elder got the start in Atlanta's Grapefruit League finale against the Rays on Tuesday, tossing 4.2 scoreless, no-hit innings while walking three and striking out two.

EDGE Analysis

The 22-year-old right-hander finished his spring with a 0.00 ERA over 7.2 innings without giving up a hit, although his 4:4 K:BB wasn't exactly dominant. Elder is expected to return to Triple-A Gwinnett to begin the season after making seven starts at that level in 2021 with a 2.21 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 40:30 K:BB over 36.2 innings, and he could make his big-league debut this year if Atlanta needs rotation reinforcements over the summer. Elder features a four-pitch mix highlighted by a potentially plus slider, but his low-90s fastball may cap his ceiling in the majors.