The Braves claimed pitcher Ian Anderson off waivers on Sunday from the Los Angeles Angels. It will be the 26-year-old's second go-round with the Braves after they traded him to Los Angeles earlier this year. Once a promising prospect who was even a key rotation piece during the Braves' 2021 World Series run, the righty hasn't been able to replicate that success ever since, and missed nearly all of 2023 and most of 2024 in his recovery from Tommy John surgery. Anderson is out of minor league options, so he'll start with the big league club, although it's unclear if they plan to use him as a starter or reliever. He posted an 11.57 ERA, 2.57 WHIP, and 2.0 percent K-BB% over nine-and-a-third innings of relief with the Angels, and is best left to the waiver wire for now.
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Ian Anderson has been traded to the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday. The right-hander has posted a strong 2.25 ERA across 20 innings of work this spring. However, Anderson has experienced trouble with his command considering he has walked 18 batters heading into Sunday's game. It's unclear if the Angels plan to use him in the rotation or send him to the bullpen until he's able to get his command under control. In exchange for Anderson, the Braves will receive left-hander Jose Suarez. The southpaw posted good numbers in 2021 and 2022. After that, Suarez completely fell apart, but it'll be good deal for Atlanta if they can get Suarez back on track.
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Ian Anderson completed a live bullpen session on Wednesday. The right-hander's fastball sat around 92-93 mph. In 2021, his fastball averaged a slightly higher 94.6 mph. Anderson has battled numerous injuries over the past two seasons, including Tommy John. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status during spring training as he could contend for a spot in the rotation with Spencer Strider (elbow) set to miss the first month. Last season, Anderson spent most of his campaign with Triple-A, holding a 3.96 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP across 52 1/3 innings of work. He struck out 53 batters. He last appeared in the majors during the 2022 campaign, where he held a career-worst 5.00 ERA and a 1.51 WHIP. The former top prospect performed well during his first two MLB seasons, holding a 3.25 ERA and 1.20 WHIP. He will likely compete for the final spot in the rotation alongside AJ Smith-Shawver, Hurston Waldrep, and Bryce Elder.
Ian Anderson, Grant Holmes Favorites To Open The Season In Rotation
According to Mark Bowman of MLB.com, Atlanta Braves pitchers Ian Anderson and Grant Holmes are the favorites to open the season in the rotation. With Spencer Strider (elbow) not expected to be ready for Opening Day, Atlanta will have an additional spot open in the rotation. However, Bowman noted that one of them could shift to a bullpen role once Strider is cleared to return. Holmes made his MLB debut last season and logged 68 1/3 innings to the tune of a 3.56 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP. He tallied 70 punchouts and showed strong command with a 5.3 percent walk rate. Anderson has not pitched in the MLB since 2022 after undergoing Tommy John surgery in April 2023. During the 2022 campaign, Anderson held a career-worst 5.00 ERA and a 1.51 WHIP. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor their status during spring training as they could be viable options in deeper NL-only formats.
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.
Ian Anderson
• SP
•
Braves
