NORTH PORT, Fla. -- Ian Anderson’s days with the Braves came to a close on Sunday afternoon, when he was traded to the Angels in exchange for left-handed reliever José Suarez, the team announced.
Anderson’s bid to begin the season as Atlanta’s fifth starter evaporated as he issued 20 walks over 20 innings this spring. The 26-year-old hurler, 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.
Suarez is out of options, so he could find himself on Atlanta’s Opening Day roster as a long-relief option. AJ Smith-Shawver, who ranks as the Braves' No. 3 prospect per MLB Pipeline, seemed to edge ahead of Anderson in the battle to begin the season as Atlanta’s fifth starter.
Suarez posted a 3.86 ERA over 45 appearances (34 starts) for the Angels from 2021-22, but he has struggled lately, producing a 6.91 ERA over 33 appearances (10 starts) from 2023-24.
The Braves could also give the long-relief role to Jesse Chavez, who signed a Minor League deal with the club Saturday after being released by the Rangers on Friday. Chavez allowed three hits and issued two walks over two innings in a 5-5 tie with the Orioles on Sunday.
Anderson issued two more walks when he followed Chavez with three scoreless innings. The pitcher’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.