The Braves didn’t have many bright spots in September, but Bryce Elder is one of them. In his final start of 2025, the right-hander threw seven innings of three-run ball against Washington, closing a month-long surge that reaffirmed his value. Elder finished his last seven outings with a 2.82 ERA, steadying himself after a rocky midseason stretch.
It was enough to ensure he will head into Spring Training with a real chance to remain in Atlanta’s 2026 rotation. For a team searching for reliability behind its frontline arms, Elder’s September mattered.
From Midseason Struggles to Late Stability
Elder’s 2025 wasn’t always that good though. By mid-July, his ERA sat north of 5.00, fueled by command lapses and hard contact. Some wondered if he would finish the year in the rotation at all. But as the Braves faded from the playoff race, Elder found his rhythm.
Across his final 44 innings, he allowed only 14 earned runs, striking out 36 while walking just 11. That improvement in command was the difference, cutting his WHIP to 1.18 over the span. Elder ended the season as Atlanta’s leader in starts (28) and innings pitched (156 ⅓).
Manager Brian Snitker credited Elder’s resilience. “It’s easy to lose confidence when you have stretches like he did,” Snitker told Sports Illustrated. “But he kept working, and now he’s finishing strong. That says a lot about him.”
Where Elder Fits in 2026 For the Braves
Atlanta’s rotation picture for 2026 already has familiar names at the top. Spencer Strider, Chris Sale, Spencer Schwellenbach, and Hurston Waldrep all project as near-locks. That leaves one spot open for competition — and Elder has a strong case.
His profile fits what the Braves need in a back-end starter: innings, efficiency, and stability. At age 26, he’s still young enough to grow, but experienced enough to understand the grind of a full season.
Of course, nothing is guaranteed. The Braves could add another arm in free agency or via trade. Ian Anderson and AJ Smith-Shawver will also be in the mix. But Elder’s September resurgence ensured his name will be written near the top of the list when pitchers report to North Port.
The Bigger Picture for Atlanta
The takeaway isn’t just Elder’s late-season line for the Braves, it’s what it represents. A year defined by pitching failures and inconsistency needed some measure of stability. Elder provided it, showing that even in a losing season, growth still happened on the roster.
Atlanta’s first losing campaign since 2017 exposed flaws up and down the roster, but it also highlighted players like Elder, who proved they could be part of the solution. If the Braves want to climb back in 2026, their path will rely on both offseason upgrades and internal development. Elder gave them a reminder that the latter can still pay off.
Elder’s Path Forward
The final word on Elder’s season is that it was uneven but ultimately encouraging. His 4.32 ERA across 156 ⅓ innings doesn’t leap off the page, but his September was the stretch fans will remember — and the one the front office will lean on when planning next year’s staff.
If Elder takes that finish into Spring Training, he could give the Braves exactly what they’ve lacked. They need a dependable, innings-eating starter behind their aces. And after 2025’s struggles, that kind of stability could be the most valuable stat of all.
