Following a 10-0 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers, the Atlanta Braves have made another move with their starting pitching staff.
The Atlanta Braves announced that right-handed starter Bryce Elder has been optioned back to Triple-A. In response, they recalled lefty Dylan Dodd.
The #Braves today recalled LHP Dylan Dodd to Atlanta after optioning RHP Bryce Elder to Triple-A Gwinnett following last night’s game.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) August 7, 2024
After Elder’s latest outing, they really didn’t have an option. On Tuesday night, he was pummeled by the Brewers hitters in front of their home crowd, allowing seven earned runs on eight hits, two of which were home runs, and two walks in just 3 2/3 innings pitched.
After Elder departed the game, the Braves’ pitching staff had its first shutout inning.
Elder was starting to give everyone else in the rotation a break, but the move could indicate that the Braves are giving up on trying if the 2022 All-Star can return to form and experimenting with other options. They tried to see whether Elder could fill in for the absent starters, but it did not work out.
In ten starts, Elder has a 6.52 ERA, 1.63 WHIP, 64 EAR+, and -0.8 WAR. With the way the season is going, they can’t afford another poor performance by the starting pitcher.
With the call-up of Dylan Dodd, the Braves are throwing everything at the wall to see what sticks. He has not played in a game for the Braves since last season. In seven starts in 2023, Dodd posted a 7.60 ERA and a 1.89 WHIP. In addition, he allowed nine home runs in 34 1/3 innings pitched.
He hasn’t looked any better in Triple-A this season. Dodd has a 4.85 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP in 19 appearances, 17 of which are starts. He still issues with home runs, allowing 13 in 91 innings pitched.
The Braves might look to top prospects, but they’re either still recuperating or not throwing well right now. It’s better to call Dodd up than run the clock on service time while allowing the top arms to hone their trade in the minors.
Dodd will not be seen on Wednesday or Thursday. Chris Sale and Charlie Morton are set to start on those days, in that sequence.
The Braves will continue their series against the Brewers on Wednesday night. The first pitch is planned for 7:20 p.m.
