Atlanta – The Atlanta Braves announced two key roster moves on Wednesday as they gear up for the final stretch of the season. Right‑hander Bryce Elder was placed on the 15‑day injured list following surgery to remove bone fragments from his right knee. The move was retroactive to Sunday, and manager Walt Weiss said the surgery gives Elder the best chance to return for the postseason.
Injury details and season stats
Elder, 27, last appeared on the mound on Aug. 31, allowing five runs on eight hits with three walks and three strikeouts over 5 1/3 innings in a 7‑3 loss to the San Francisco Giants. He has posted an 8‑8 record with a 4.11 ERA, 49 walks and 121 strikeouts in 149 innings over 26 starts this season. Over his career, Elder is 32‑32 with a 4.46 ERA, 203 walks and 473 strikeouts in 583 2/3 innings.
Lopez returns to the rotation
At the same time, the Braves activated right‑hander Reynaldo Lopez from the injured list. Lopez, 32, last pitched on July 26, delivering 5 2/3 scoreless innings with one walk and six strikeouts in a 3‑2 win over Baltimore that went 11 innings. He had been sidelined with left‑knee inflammation beginning Aug. 2.
Lopez now holds a 4‑3 record with a 3.64 ERA, 29 walks and 66 strikeouts in 71 2/3 innings over 24 games (11 starts) for Atlanta this year. His career totals include a 51‑57 record with six saves, a 3.91 ERA, 322 walks and 832 strikeouts in 892 innings across stints with the Washington Nationals, Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Angels, Cleveland Guardians and the Braves.
Additional roster moves
In related moves, Atlanta selected left‑hander Bailey Falter from Triple‑A Gwinnett and activated him, while designating right‑hander Elieser Hernandez for assignment. The Braves originally acquired Falter, 29, and outfielder Lane Thomas from the Kansas City Royals on Aug. 2 in exchange for two minor‑league pitchers.
Falter posted a 0‑2 record in five games (two starts) for Kansas City this season, striking out six and walking six in 9 2/3 innings. He was 2‑0 with a 0.00 ERA, two walks and 11 strikeouts in 10 2/3 innings for Gwinnett. Hernandez, 31, recorded a 2‑0 record with one save, a 2.45 ERA, six walks and 11 strikeouts in 11 innings for Atlanta this year.
Looking ahead
Weiss indicated that Elder could be ready to return after the regular season concludes on Sept. 27, provided his recovery proceeds as planned. The Braves remain focused on securing a strong postseason position as the race tightens in the National League East.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
