Braves rumors: 3 best short-term replacements for Max Fried

Bryce Elder is the only logical option to replace Max Fried in the short-term

It’s not really up to me, but I would go with Bryce Elder as Fried’s short-term replacement in the Atlanta rotation. I guess the reason he was optioned to Triple-A earlier than Dodd and Shuster, who ended up making the team out of camp, was to stretch his arm out in case he were to be called up permanently. He has pitched the best of any pitcher in the Braves’ minor league ranks.

What I like about Elder is the situation never seems to be too big for him. Oftentimes a year ago, he would be called up to spot-start, only to be sent back to Gwinnett the following day. That is a hard way to live professionally, but that is what this comes down to; being a professional. For that reason, Snitker would have prioritize calling up Elder if Fried does have to spend some time on IL.

While we have seen pitchers in the Braves organization run hot and cold over the years, I want the guy to be called up to be brimming with confidence. Anderson can be a bit of a head case, while Soroka is one more bad injury away from possibly retiring from baseball. Anderson and Soroka are more talented than him, but talent only gets you so far. Elder has shown that he can get results.

Again, this is an easy call to make, but it is not up to me and I trust the Braves to do what is best.