— Bryce Elder pitched six strong innings, providing needed rest for an overworked bullpen and leading the Atlanta Braves to a 3-2 victory over the San Diego Padres on Monday night in the opener of a four-game home series.

The Braves have spent the bulk of the season in first place in the National League East, but a once-comfortable lead has dwindled to three games over the resurgent Phillies (six and eight over the upstart Marlins and Nationals, respectively). As their division rivals have improved their play in recent weeks, Atlanta has struggled both […]

Riley will start at third base and bat cleanup in Monday's game versus the Padres. Visit RotoWire.com for more analysis on this update.

Schwellenbach (elbow) has been cleared to throw bullpen sessions, MLB.com reports. Visit RotoWire.com for more analysis on this update.

Manager Walt Weiss said Sunday that Acuna (hamstring) isn't guaranteed to be activated from the 10-day injured list before Atlanta's homestand ends Thursday, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports. "He's still got some days ahead of him," Weiss said. "We just want to make sure he doesn't have to try to figure it out or struggle up here. A guy like Acuna... moves the needle for our team. But we have to use good judgment there." Visit RotoWire.com for more analysis on this update.

Atlanta manager Walt Weiss said Monday that Waldrep was removed from his start at Triple-A Gwinnett on Sunday after just 36 pitches because "his arm didn't feel right," Harrison Smajovits of SI.com reports. Visit RotoWire.com for more analysis on this update.

After returning from an oblique injury that kept him sidelined for nearly a month, Atlanta Braves catcher Drake Baldwin was a career-best 5 for 5 at the plate and homered twice in his club's 8-5 victory over the Texas Rangers on Sunday at Truist Park.

The Braves optioned right-hander Owen Murphy to Triple-A Gwinnett and selected the contract of veteran right-hander Elieser Hernández before Sunday's game against the Rangers.

The Braves are selecting the contract of right-hander Elieser Hernández, according to a team announcement. The club has an open spot on its 40-man roster, so no corresponding move is needed there. To make space on the active roster, fellow righty Owen Murphy is being optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett. Hernández, 31, joined the Braves on […]

Riley went 3-for-4 with two home runs and four RBI in Sunday's 8-5 win over the Rangers. Visit RotoWire.com for more analysis on this update.

Baldwin went 5-for-5 with a pair of solo home runs and an additional run scored in Sunday's 8-5 win over the Rangers. Visit RotoWire.com for more analysis on this update.

Schwellenbach (elbow) has yet to begin a rehab assignment, Chad Bishop of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. Visit RotoWire.com for more analysis on this update.

Strider (elbow) will have a follow-up appointment with Dr. Keith Meister next week, and may also be scheduled for an MRI, Chad Bishop of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. Visit RotoWire.com for more analysis on this update.

The Braves began the second half with a 15-1 beatdown of the Rangers. It’s their second-highest scoring game of the season and stretched their NL East lead over the Phillies back to three games. Atlanta’s lineup has picked back up this month after they were easily the worst offensive team in the league in June. […]

— Chris Sale pitched seven shutout innings of two-hit ball and Drake Baldwin, Matt Olson and Austin Riley homered for Atlanta during a 19-hit outburst as the Braves pounded the Texas Rangers 15-1 on Friday night.

Olson went 2-for-3 with a solo home run, two walks and an additional run scored during Atlanta's 15-1 win over Texas on Friday. Visit RotoWire.com for more analysis on this update.

Baldwin went 3-for-5 with a home run, five RBI and an additional run scored during Atlanta's 15-1 win over Texas on Friday. Visit RotoWire.com for more analysis on this update.

Sale (10-6) earned the win against the Rangers on Friday,a llowing two hits while striking out six across seven scoreless innings. He did not issue a walk. Visit RotoWire.com for more analysis on this update.

Infielder Jonathan Ornelas is opting out of his minor league deal with the Yankees, reports Francys Romero. He’ll become a free agent if New York doesn’t select him onto the MLB roster. Ornelas signed a non-roster deal last November. He has spent the season at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. He’s hitting .299/.362/.480 with nine homers through 280 plate […]

Atlanta manager Walt Weiss said Friday that he hopes Acuna (hamstring) will be ready to return from the 10-day injured list before the end of the team's homestand July 23, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports. Visit RotoWire.com for more analysis on this update.