PHOENIX -- You can never have enough pitching, especially when playing at Coors Field.
So, as the Braves prepare to begin a three-game series in Denver on Monday, they¡¯ll reintroduce themselves to Ian Anderson a little more than a month after choosing to trade him to the Angels instead of designating him for assignment at the end of Spring Training.
The Braves claimed Anderson off waivers on Sunday, four days after the 26-year-old hurler was DFA¡¯d by the Angels. Anderson was traded to the Angels in exchange for left-handed reliever Jos¨¦ Suarez on March 23. Suarez was outrighted to Atlanta¡¯s Triple-A affiliate on Thursday after being DFA'd on Monday.
Anderson will be available to come out of the bullpen on Monday. The Braves haven¡¯t announced their starter for Tuesday¡¯s game, but there¡¯s still an expectation that AJ Smith-Shawver will be promoted from Triple-A Gwinnett to make the start.
Asking Anderson to provide bullpen depth makes sense, but asking him to start enhances the risk of overtaxing the bullpen.
Anderson was given every opportunity to win a spot in Atlanta¡¯s rotation during Spring Training, but the Braves had to cut ties after he issued 20 walks and recorded 10 strikeouts in just 20 innings. His struggles continued as he allowed 17 hits, issued seven walks and posted an 11.57 ERA in 9 1/3 innings over seven relief appearances for the Angels.
Anderson, who was taken by Atlanta with the third overall pick in the 2016 MLB Draft, has struggled to regain the promising form he had before undergoing Tommy John surgery in April 2023.
Anderson¡¯s Atlanta chapter started to go downhill in 2022, when his struggles led to him spending the season¡¯s final months at Triple-A Gwinnett. But he¡¯ll always be remembered for helping Atlanta win the 2021 World Series. He has posted a 1.26 ERA in eight career postseason starts.