The Atlanta Braves optioned All-Star pitcher Bryce Elder to the minors on Monday, deciding to open the season with Reynaldo Lopez as their fifth starter.
López, who signed a $30 million, three-year deal with the Braves in November, earned the rotation spot by allowing just four earned runs over 16⅔ innings in five spring appearances. He surrendered 10 hits, walked six and struck out 13.