Elder began playing baseball as a child,but stopped to focus on golf by his fifth grade year,to free up his weekends from travel team baseball activities. As a freshman at Decatur High School in Decatur,Texas,Elder considered returning to baseball,but the coach at the time would not permit Elder to play two spring season sports. A new baseball coach,hired before Elder's sophomore season,agreed to Elder's request to play baseball and golf.[1][2] Elder also played basketball.
On April 12, 2022, Elder was selected to the 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time to make a spot start. He faced the Washington Nationals that night, pitching 5+2⁄3 innings, and earned a win.[14][15] He was optioned to the Gwinnett Stripers on May 1.[16] He was recalled on August 13 to face the Miami Marlins in another spot start the next day.[17][18] On September 26, Elder threw a complete-game shutout against the Washington Nationals, becoming the first Braves' rookie pitcher to do so since Paul Marak during the 1990 season.[19][20] For the 2022 regular season, he pitched 54 innings to a 2–4 record with a 3.17 ERA.
In 2023, after impressive spring training performances by Jared Shuster and Dylan Dodd, Elder was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett to begin the regular season.[21] After one start in Triple-A, he was called up to make his season debut on April 5, which he won.[22] At midseason, Elder was selected for the first time as a reserve starting pitcher for the National League in the 2023 Major League Baseball All-Star Game.[23]
In 2024, Elder began the season in Triple-A Gwinnett after not being able to secure the fifth spot in the Braves rotation.[24] On April 22, Elder was called up to the Braves' roster to replace Darius Vines.[25][26] In 10 starts for Atlanta, he struggled to a 2–5 record and 6.52 ERA with 46 strikeouts across 49+2⁄3 innings pitched.
Elder was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett to begin the 2025 season.[27] He was recalled on March 31 in place of Reynaldo López.[28]
On September 8, 2026, Elder was ruled out for 3–to–4 weeks after undergoing surgery to remove bone fragments from his right knee.[29]
Pitching style
Elder throws five pitches: a sinker, four-seam fastball, slider, changeup and curveball.[30][31]
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