The Angels acquired Anderson from Atlanta on Sunday in exchange for lefty Jose Suarez, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.
Anderson had a 2.65 ERA over 17 innings during spring training, but his command was all over the place with 18 walks. The right-hander is out of minor-league options, and Atlanta's decision to trade him is a clear indication he wasn't going to make the Opening Day roster. Anderson should have a better chance of sticking in the majors with Los Angeles.
Braves' Ian Anderson: Fights control again Thursday
Rotowire
Anderson gave up a hit and four walks while striking out four over 3.1 scoreless innings during Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins.
Facing most of Miami's likely Opening Day lineup, Anderson once again had trouble getting the ball into the strike zone consistently, even though he was able to escape any damage as a result. The 26-year-old right-hander has issued nine free passes in eight spring innings so far against only five strikeouts, and while he remains a favorite to open the season in the rotation due to the fact that he's out of minor-league options, his stint could be a brief one if his control doesn't come around.
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Braves' Ian Anderson: Stingy in second spring start
Rotowire
Anderson walked two batters without a strikeout over three scoreless, no-hit innings during Friday's Grapefruit league game against the Marlins.
The right-hander tossed 16 of 28 pitches for strikes against a Miami lineup that included a number of likely Opening Day starters, including Jesus Sanchez, Kyle Stowers and Connor Norby. Anderson is out of minor-league options, making him a favorite to secure a spot at the back of the Atlanta rotation this spring, but his 1:5 K:BB through 4.2 innings to begin the exhibition schedule isn't especially encouraging, even if it comes with a 1.93 ERA. On the bright side, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports that Anderson's fastball topped out at 94.9 mph Friday, and he appears close to consistently regaining the velocity that saw him average 94.6 mph with his heater over a 24-start stint for Atlanta in 2021 during which he posted a 3.58 ERA and 1.23 WHIP.
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Braves' Ian Anderson: Bumpy start to rotation battle
Rotowire
Anderson gave up one run on one hit and three walks over 1.2 innings in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Rays. He struck out one.
The right-hander seemed to have the most trouble with his changeup, bouncing a number of them in front of the plate, but one shaky outing in February isn't a big concern. Anderson's fastball velocity was in the low 90s, which is usually where he sits early in the spring per David O'Brien of The Athletic, and considering he's out of minor-league options, the 26-year-old would likely have to pitch his way out of a spot in the Opening Day rotation. If Anderson does completely fall apart in camp, Bryce Elder, Hurston Waldrep and AJ Smith-Shawver would be the most likely candidates to get a look in his place.
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Braves' Ian Anderson: Could win rotation spot
Rotowire
Anderson is out of minor-league options, making him a favorite to begin the season as part of the Atlanta rotation, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.
While team president Alex Anthopoulos could still bring in another arm before spring training begins or even during camp, as the Atlanta roster stands, Anderson appears to be in line to open the year as the No. 4 or No. 5 starter behind Chris Sale, Reynaldo Lopez and Spencer Schwellenbach, filling out the back of the rotation along with Grant Holmes. Spencer Strider is expected to miss the first month or so of the campaign as he completes his recovery from elbow surgery, but once he returns, Anderson could be the pitcher bumped to a lesser role. The 26-year-old right-hander hasn't pitched in the majors since 2022, and the one-time top prospect managed a 3.96 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 53:27 K:BB over 52.1 innings for Triple-A Gwinnett last season.
Anderson is a candidate to start Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series against the Padres on Tuesday, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.
Bowman stated that AJ Smith-Shawver and Bryce Elder are also in the mix, and it wouldn't be a surprise to see the club wait until closer to first pitch to announce who will get the start. Anderson hasn't pitched in the big league since 2022 but has impressive postseason numbers, as he's posted a 1.26 ERA and 1.04 WHIP with a 40:17 K:BB across 35.2 innings (eight starts).
Anderson tossed six scoreless innings with three hits, two walks and seven strikeouts Thursday for Triple-A Gwinnett against Norfolk.
David O'Brien of The Athletic speculates that Anderson appears close to ready to help the big-league rotation after this strong outing on 93 pitches. Anderson had a 3.86 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and an 8:6 K:BB over 11.2 innings in his previous two starts at Triple-A, so things are trending up. The 26-year-old righty had Tommy John surgery in April of 2023 and began his rehab assignment two months ago. Grant Holmes has been holding his own as Atlanta's fifth starter and Reynaldo Lopez (forearm) is due back soon, so it's unclear when Anderson will get the call.
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