Ian Anderson, AJ Smith-Shawver, Bryce Elder Candidates To Start Against Padres
Atlanta Braves right-handers Ian Anderson, AJ Smith-Shawver and Bryce Elder are all candidates to start Game 1 of the wild-card series against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on Tuesday. Anderson has some of the best postseason numbers of all time, but he hasn't pitched in the big leagues since 2022. The Braves may wait as long as possible to announce their starter against the Padres. Anderson has a 1.26 ERA in 35 2/3 innings pitched in the postseason, including a 1.04 WHIP with 40 strikeouts and 17 walks, but he'd be a pretty big dice role for Atlanta to kick off the three-game series. In 15 minor-league stops at four different levels this year, he had a 3.44 ERA and 1.28 WHIP with 68 strikeouts and 29 walks in 68 innings. Smith-Shawver made just one start for Atlanta this year and has six starts since debuting in 2023. Elder was an All-Star in 2023 but had an ERA over 6.00 in his 10 starts this year.
Ian Anderson Tosses Three Scoreless Innings In Rehab Start
Atlanta Braves right-hander Ian Anderson (elbow) threw three scoreless innings while allowing one hit, striking out one and walking one on Sunday in a minor-league rehab start for Low-A Augusta. Before this outing, Anderson pitched twice for the Florida Complex League Braves and struck out seven and walked none as he continues his recovery from Tommy John surgery that he had in April of 2023. The Braves are hoping to have him available to make his 2024 debut after the All-Star break in mid-July. The 26-year-old got up to 46 pitches (29 strikes) in his outing on Sunday and is expected to make at least two more rehab starts before he becomes an option for the Braves' starting rotation in the second half of the season. Anderson struggled to a 5.00 ERA and 1.51 WHIP with a 97:54 K:BB in 22 starts back in 2022, and fantasy managers would be wise to temper expectations when he returns this year.
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Ian Anderson (elbow) made his second minor-league rehab start for the Florida Complex League Braves on Monday. The 26-year-old pitched three innings, allowing one earned run on three hits, no walks, and a hit batsman while striking out three. Over two rehab starts, the righty hasn't issued a walk and has struck out seven in five innings of work. The former first-round draft pick is expected to move on to one of the higher Braves affiliates for his next start, but a decision hasn't been made yet on where that will be.
Despite the fact that the Atlanta Braves optioned right-hander Ian Anderson (elbow) to Triple-A Gwinnett on Monday, the 25-year-old remains on track in his recovery from Tommy John surgery last April and has been throwing long toss from 120 feet in camp. He's hoping to be an option for Atlanta's starting rotation around the All-Star break. The former first-rounder in 2016 went 12-7 with a 3.25 ERA and 1.20 WHIP with 165 K's in 30 starts in 2020-21 before recording a 5.00 ERA in 2022 and being sent to the minors, where he injured his oblique. It remains to be seen if Anderson can return to his pre-injury level, when he was named the team's organizational Pitcher of the Year in 2019 with 172 K's in 135 2/3 innings. Anderson has slightly altered his straight over-the-top pitching motion and is using his legs more to put less stress on his arm.
Brian Anderson, Trevor Kelley Sign Minors Deals With Mariners
The Seattle Mariners signed free-agent infielder Brian Anderson and right-hander Trevor Kelley to minor-league deals on Friday, according to sources. Both players will receive invites to major-league spring training. The 30-year-old Anderson really struggled in 96 games for the Milwaukee Brewers last year, slashing .226/.310/.368 with nine home runs, 40 RBI and 38 runs scored in 361 trips to the plate before being released after the season. If he makes Seattle's roster, he'll probably serve in a backup or platoon role at third base, at best, with Luis Urias. Kelley, 31, will be looking to serve as relief depth for the Mariners, but he's unlikely to make the big-league roster out of camp. Kelley has a career 6.75 ERA and 1.56 WHIP with 45 strikeouts in 50 2/3 innings in four major-league seasons.
Atlanta Braves right-hander Ian Anderson (elbow) said he feels great in his Tommy John surgery rehab and is aiming to return around mid-summer, but he's not putting a specific timeline on his return. Anderson said he's made a slight adjustment in his delivery and has dropped his arm angle a bit. The 25-year-old former first-rounder had a 5.00 ERA and 1.51 WHIP in 22 starts for the Braves in 2022 and didn't pitch at all in the big leagues last year due to his elbow surgery. The Braves aren't giving up on him just yet, though, after he looked decent in his first two big-league seasons in a starting role. Anderson will be on an innings limit when he returns this summer and can most likely be avoided in all mixed fantasy leagues until 2025.
Atlanta Braves right-hander Ian Anderson (elbow) will have Tommy John surgery, according to sources. Anderson began the year at Triple-A Gwinnett after a rough 2022 season, and he struggled in his first start in the minors before being diagnosed with a torn UCL in his right elbow. He'll miss the rest of the 2023 season but is expected to return in 2024. Fantasy managers should expect Anderson to at least miss the start of next season, though, and after last year's disappointing performance, his fantasy value is obviously way down now. The 24-year-old posted a 5.00 ERA and 1.51 WHIP with 97 strikeouts and 54 walks in 22 starts over 111 2/3 innings for the Braves last year. He can be dropped in all single-year fantasy leagues now.
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Ian Anderson (elbow) has been placed on the seven-day minor-league injured list with a right elbow injury. The Braves are still evaluating him at this time. Anderson gave up six runs (four earned) on four hits (three home runs) while walking two and striking out one in just two-thirds of an inning in his first start for Triple-A Gwinnett last week, but it's likely his elbow was already bothering him then. Fantasy managers that have been stashing the 24-year-old right-hander shouldn't expect him to make his 2023 debut with the Braves for some time, but hopefully his right elbow injury isn't a season-ender. Stay tuned for updates on how long he might be out.
Atlanta Braves right-hander Ian Anderson didn't have the start he wanted in his first outing for Triple-A Gwinnett on Sunday, as he allowed six runs (four earned) on four hits (three homers allowed) while walking two and striking out one in just two-thirds of an inning. The 24-year-old struggled to a 5.00 ERA (4.25 FIP), 1.51 WHIP and career-low 19.7 percent strikeout rate in 22 starts for the Braves in 2022 in his third major-league season, and he didn't look very great in spring training either. The Braves will want to see better results from him before they consider him for a big-league promotion, even with lefty Max Fried (hamstring) on the injured list. Bryce Elder is expected to replace Fried in the rotation for now.
Atlanta Braves starting pitchers Ian Anderson and Bryce Elder are options to start next Wednesday against the St. Louis Cardinals. Braves managers Brian Snitker said Max Fried will definitely miss the start against the Cards. Kyle Wright isn't eligible to come off the IL until April 11, so he's not an option. With Wright due back shortly, Anderson or Elder may only get one start this time around. It's hard to say either has streaming potential against a good Cardinals lineup, but both pitchers have had success in the majors. You could do worse if you're in dire need.
Ian Anderson
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