11:02am: Anderson will indeed undergo Tommy John surgery, Jeff Passan and Kiley McDaniel of ESPN report (via Twitter). He’ll miss the remainder of the 2023 season.
Because Anderson was diagnosed with the injury after being optioned and making a start with Gwinnett, he’ll presumably head to the minor league injured list for now. However, if the Braves need to open a 40-man roster spot at any point, he can be recalled from Gwinnett and placed on the Major League 60-day IL.
That move, however, would entitle Anderson to big league service time. He started the year with two years and 46 days of MLB service, so if he spends 126 days or more on the MLB injured list, he’ll surpass three years of Major League service time, pushing up his path to free agency. If he spends fewer than 126 days on the big league injured list, he’d remain under club control for an additional four seasons.
10:56am: The Braves placed Ian Anderson on the minor league injured list due to an elbow issue last week, and while the team hasn’t formally announced a diagnosis or treatment plan, MLB.com’s Mark Bowman tweets that Tommy John surgery is a possibility for the right-hander. That’d of course point to a ligament issue for Anderson, though the extent and placement of any damage would impact the eventual course of treatment.
Regardless of the outcome, if surgery is indeed a consideration, that’s indicative of an absence of note for Anderson, a former No. 3 overall pick (2016) and Rookie of the Year candidate who has fallen out of Atlanta’s rotation picture in the wake of some 2022 struggles. Anderson, still just 24 years old, broke out with a combined 3.25 ERA in 160 2/3 innings between the 2020-21 seasons, grabbing hold of a rotation spot in Atlanta and staking a claim to a long-term place on the starting staff.
The 2022 season, however, marked a step back in just about every facet of Anderson’s game. The righty was tagged for an unsightly 5.00 ERA in 111 2/3 innings as his fastball velocity, strikeout rate, walk rate, ground-ball rate, exit velocity and hard-hit rate all trended in unfavorable directions. Anderson was also tagged for 13 earned runs in 21 2/3 Triple-A innings last season, and he followed a rocky 2023 spring training (five earned runs on five hits and eight walks in 7 1/3 innings) with a disastrous first outing with Triple-A Gwinnett. In his lone appearance of the 2023 season there, Anderson faced nine batters and yielded three home runs and two walks while also being charged with a pair of wild pitches.
If Anderson indeed needs surgery — be Tommy John surgery, an internal brace or any other type of elbow procedure — that’ll provide the Braves with a notable blow to their rotation depth. Atlanta has been without Kyle Wright thus far, though he’s slated to make his season debut today. Ace Max Fried is currently on the injured list owing to a hamstring strain. Charlie Morton and Spencer Strider have two starting spots spoken for, and Bryce Elder has delivered a pair of strong outings as well. Rookie southpaws Jared Shuster and Dylan Dodd have both been hit hard in their MLB debuts (two starts apiece).
As things stand, the Braves can hope for a swift return from Fried, which would set the stage for a rotation of him, Strider, Wright, Morton and Elder, with Shuster and Dodd continuing to develop in Gwinnett. Oft-injured righty Michael Soroka is also hoping for a big league return and is in the Gwinnett rotation, but he’s building up his pitch count presently and threw just 38 innings between the minors and big leagues combined from 2020-22. Soroka is on the mound this morning and has already tossed two innings for Gwinnett as of this writing, but it remains to be seen when he’ll be considered for the Major League staff.
Good luck Ian! See you in 2024, hopefully.
I will not be the first to reference Jethro Tull.
You’re just …Living in the Past.
Well at least his woman and his best friend….uh… never mind
I hope he really doesn’t mind if he sits this year out
And no Wiseman knows how it feels…
…to be picked for a trip…
to MLB (true story).
Breaking news—-Mandatory for all male new borns—-TJ surgery (just get it over with already)
Oscar: I tell you one thing that really drives me nuts, is people who think that Jethro Tull is just a person in a band.
Dr. Banks: Who’s Jethro Tull?
Oh by the way, which one’s Pink?
“Who’s Fabio?”
“A shortstop with Seattle…”
Nice obscure Moneyball reference’
Who’s not Jethro Tull. Two totally separate bands.
Hopefully the surgery isn’t bungled (in the jungle)
Well there’s always the flute.
ATL can put out sad stories like Gone With The Wind and Mike Foltynewicz.
Not to mention “Deliverance” and Joey Terdeslovich.
I remember when Folty was crying during the arbitration hearings. That was the first red flag.
Interesting about service time. Presumably he wasn’t aware of an injury before they sent him down. Otherwise, we could see a grievance.. More importantly, hate to see players suffer serious setbacks.
He bungled in the jungle?
Well, based on his performance, there’s been a serious issue for some time, so if there’s any silver lining to this, at least they know why there was such a decline in some of his stuff. Hopefully he’s able to start fresh post-rehab. He’s still young (24 y/o).
I believe the decline was between the ears first and then this happened.
Agreed, but hopefully this will allow him more confidence during the rehab that it was more physical than maybe he thought. Also, nice to have Soroka – for at least part of that – to be able to give him some support.
If the guy is injured for a year plus and had already fallen out of Atlanta’s rotation, I seriously doubt service time will become an issue for him. He would likely be waived or non-tendered long before he reaches six years in service time.
To hit that benchmark, that would be about 36 games in. Almost a third of the way there right now. First or second week of May i’d expect them to make that move.
Not waiving a 2016 first round with previous success. He will be 26 when he comes back.
Freeman is miserable in LA and knows he will never win a World Series with the chump Dodgers and wishes he didn’t just take the extra money to leave the Braves.
Funny thing about it is he actually is making less money due to taxes and price of living in LA. But he doesn’t seem miserable he just won’t get a statue now.
Freeman is living a great life in his mansion with his beautiful wife. That kind of chuck you and chuck everyone money makes life easy to enjoy. Sorry to burst your bubble.
Actually, sorry to burst your bubble. Money isn’t everything, to say the least.
You are exactly on point. And if Freddie bought a house out there, he’s good to go. Anywhere from Laguna up to Camarillo. Nice country.
It’s his home and this is his last contract. I was assuming he bought a really nice big home but I don’t know for sure. All I can tell you about money is that having the kind of money ensuring I can both live in luxury and provide financially security for my great grandchildren would make me very happy.
Dam strait.
Man, shut up.
That sucks he was really good for Atlanta during their 2021 World Series run, see you in 2024!
Late 2024, if that. Wishing for the best.
I hope part of his recovery involves working on changes in his mechanics so he can add pitches. The two he has stopped fooling batters, especially when he lost control of the zone.
I think a change in area slot would help.
His strictly over the top delivery yielded no movement whatsoever on his fastball.
Seems like TJ is a right of passage these days.
Seems like it should have been done sooner.
If only they still had Tucker Davidson instead of Iglesias
That was a bad trade. Giving up a young starter for an old reliever with little left in the tank. And eating a lot of salary space while you do it
What are you smoking? Tucker Davidson is the 6th starter for LAA. We could use him for a couple weeks but he wouldn’t stick in the Atlanta rotation. Iglesias will end up with 25+ saves this year.
It isnt the same Iglesias. Fastball velo, xSLG, Barrel%, Avg Exit Velo, xBA, BB%, xERA/xwOBA were all way down from his 2021 season
And it will only get worse moving forward
Honestly, the way fans think that Raisel Iglesias will somehow magically find it again, or be the same Raisel Iglesias is mind-boggling
And even GMs do it. The Jeurys Familia, Betances signings thinking some vet that used to be good will somehow find it again
Iglesias is close to done, and it is never coming back. Sure, he’ll still have dominant outings here and there like the old Iglesias, but those will come fewer and farther between as he ages
Why are you so fixated on Iglesias?? 33 y/o is old as a closer? ATL has 5 with closing experience. If they can win with Kenley Jansen — they can win with Iglesias…or without him.
Guess you missed Iglesias’ stats after the trade last year?
I’m not. This other guy (Lonnieb) replied to a harmless post about losing Davidson and doesn’t realize Iglesias is 33 now. Doesn’t understand aging patterns and thinks Iglesias is still a dominant reliever
Davidson is awful. Iglesias is good with stretches of being dominant, as he proved with his 0.34 ERA in 28 games with the Braves.
One glance at the statcast data, if you are not actually seeing his declining stuff on video, you will see reality as it is for Iglesias
It will just get worse this year. He is likely now in the 60s percentile on most of the statcast. He’ll still be a slightly above average reliever, but not the same 90th percentile dominance you saw in 2021
It is the normal pattern for most players to be in rapid decline at 33. After 34 most of them are out of the league
Jansen is different. Relies mainly on command and location
He never needed stuff/velo to get by. The same reason Glavine was able to pitch into his 40s
Iglesias is a pure stuff/velo guy. When that goes pitchers like that can no longer be effective
I saw his dominance in 2022, how do you explain that?
“After 34 most of them are out of the league.”
Or scooped up by a by a NY team.
@Camden – aging patterns? Tell that to Verlander. And let’s not forget Mariano was still dominating at age 33.
Apparently you don’t understand aging patterns. Before you criticize others, perhaps you should look in the mirror.
Troll.
Word. I can pick an all-time team of greats who all excelled after 35.
Iglesias is still dominant. He was one of the most dominant RPs in MLB since being traded to ATL.
28 games (26.1 IP), 0.34 ERA, 0.83 WHIP, 10.3 K/9
Don’t underestimate how LAA mediocrity (in 2022) can deflate a closer built for the adrenaline rush.
I realize and I also think your take is garbage. Davidson is trash. Iglesias is not. It’s not that hard.
Wondered how long it would take for you and your idiocy to show up. Worry about your own old, broken pitchers.
Which old pitchers? Carrasco? Sure, I’m the first to admit Carrasco doesn’t have it anymore. A decent chance he’s a DFA/release this year at some point
But just because a guy is old doesn’t mean he still doesn’t have it
Iglesias will likely be out of the league or on minor league contracts after next season
That’s just facts. I simply state reality as it is
Verlander is hurt and will likely be hurt again. Max Scherzer looks old and ineffective. Carrasco is probably washed. That isn’t even counting your hilariously bad contracts on your 2009 Topps Future Stars team you signed.
Where will the Braves ever find another pitcher with a 5.69 career ERA? Lol. If only…
Seriously, what do you think Davidson would be doing that any other pitcher can’t? Sure, he’s looked good in his first two starts this year… against Washington and Oakland. Those clubs aren’t exactly offensive juggernauts.
The Braves traded a player they didn’t need for a player they could use, which is a solid trade.
Davidson barely made the Angels’ roster and he’s not really young anymore. He’s 27. He’s done good this year, but that’s seven innings.
Meanwhile, back in the year One…
It’s looking good for the Mets. Braves and Phillies are looking battered and thin. Meanwhile Senga looks like a legitimate ace and Cy Young candidate
As long as Scherzer-Verlander-Senga put in their 25 starts, division is a wrap for the Mets
With no Swanson the Braves lack a team leader. The Phillies have weak starting pitching with Nola being in decline, and a declining Wheeler. Can’t really count on Walker either
Your entire season hinging on Kyle Wright staying healthy is not a good position to be in
Mets’ll be blowing chunks by July.
Sober up. And lay off the nose candy.
I guess you dont know whats going on then
Blowin’ chunks. July. Mets.
Has Senga ever pitched more than 150 innings in a season? He will get hurt just as Verlander comes back, and Max Scherzer has been getting rocked.
I’d say looking at Senga’s mechanics that there is an injury risk between low and moderate. Smooth, effortless mechanics usually mean lower injury risk
There is some low to moderate risk of injury there because he is not the most physical or athletic player
The lack of raw physical tools and athleticism is the reason he was only drafted as a developmental player in the Japanese leagues
@Camden453 — Yes, Senga looking “like a legitimate ace and Cy Young candidate” after only 2 starts — and both vs. Miami Marlins. If only the rest of the league had played them, they’d also be Cy candidates. lmao!
“With no Swanson the Braves lack a team leader” — don’t strain yourself reaching too hard.
Ok, sure, it’s against the Marlins, and the league hasn’t seen him at all
But I don’t think it will matter. He’s got an effortless 97-98 mph fastball and elite secondary stuff all of which he can locate with pinpoint accuracy
Nobody will have any idea which way the ball is going to go. Hitters are taking fastballs down the middle which indicates that basically they can only guess what the pitch will be
I don’t think Senga will have any problem navigating a top lineup
On top of that, most importantly, he has all the off the chart clutch genes. Gets out of jams, closes innings out, can close the 5th and 6th, etc
That ghost forkball no one has seen live is going to by him quite a bit of strikeouts and leads, but the massive jump to conclusions you made by calling him a Cy candidate after 2 GS doesn’t account for how good hitters are and how quickly adjustments are made or how difficult it is for him to adjust to the different pitching schedule in MLB.
I would anticipate a decline in the 2nd half for him, which makes him perfect for the Mets.
This is the dumbest take ever. Seasons are not won or lost in the first 10 to 12 days. Let’s look at where things are at the end of July.
Or in Choketober, where the Mets live.
This will age poorly
LOLMets fans don’t care, they have no standards or shame. They throw out moronic hyperbole, and if it comes true, they get to strut around like they knew something others didn’t, and if they are wrong they never admit it, they just slither back down to Mommy’s basement in New Jersey or Staten Island.
I swear, more than a handful of deGrom’s IL stints could be directly traced back to MetsFann22’s comments made within 24 hours prior to going on IL. Like clockwork. Feels almost like a bell ringing in IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE but with grave consequences.
“Your entire season hinging on Kyle Wright.”
That’s laughable, the braves have starting pitching depth, also Iglesias posted an era under 1 in his half season in Atlanta. While Tucker Davidson is relegated to a long relief roll for a questionable Angels team. And if there depth falters they can grab a rental at the trade deadline. Also Swanson was never the leader. I think that role has been taking up by Riley or Olson
The Phillies made it to the world series last year, most teams have a slow start and the “world series hangover” from playing deep into October, something the Mets know nothing about. You say Nola and Wheeler are declining like you know that it is a fact. You’d have to be an absolute idiot to make a conclusion based on two starts. The Phillies will also be getting Bryce Harper back in the near future and that provides an instant thump to their lineup. I’d bet my money on Nola and Wheeler over the two 40 year olds that are over in queens.
Stop pretending to be an Os fan, Orioles fans don’t act like this, you are far to insufferable to be anything but a Mets troll or dumb fan. So keep talking dingus, Braves and Phillies fans will still be here and laughing after Cohen throws 500 million dollars at Shohei Ohtani and they still can’t win a title. 🙂
@Camden453 Didn’t the Mets just get swept by the Brewers?
Yeah, the Mets were just swept by the Brewers, when their bats were going and with some young prospects in the lineup
It means nothing. The worst team in the league can sweep the best team if theyre seeing the ball well at the time
Maybe figure out more how baseball works before citing these things
Yeah, but the Mets got swept… pantsed… pink-hineyed…punkslapped by the Blewers. That has to hurt. Like, nuts-in-pliers hurt. Nose-hair-plucked hurt. Face-smacked in a revolving-door hurt. Hurt.
A couple of guys go on the IL for a few days, a AAA pitcher gets Tommy John, and this guy is already declaring the Mets division champions in April? Lol. Of all the terrible takes I’ve seen on this site, THIS is a contender for the top spot.
He’s here all week, folks!
Appalachian, it is not hard to project. Nola, Wheeler is a weak 1-2. Their rotation is ok, but not enough to contend for the division. Most likely the 3rd wild card again
The Braves without Swanson won’t be as good. The lineup and rotation will be ok, assuming Wright stays healthy
If Wright is out, the rotation is weak 3-5. Morton, Elder, and Shuster
Than beyond that only Dodd. The starting pitching depth is lacking
Two holes in the lineup with Ozuna and Arcia, and potentially 3 if Harris struggles
They are not as deep as they once were. An injury to Riley or Acuna could make a bigger impact than it normally would
As it stands now without Anderson, the Braves rotation depth is now Fried-Strider-Wright-Morton-Elder-Dodd-Shuster-Soroka-Vines
Mets have Verlander-Scherzer-Senga-Quintana-Peterson-Megill-Carrasco-Bundy-Eliezer Hernandez-Lucchesi-Butto
So yeah, Mets depth at starter is much better. Dodd is your 6th starter. Bundy, Lucchesi, Butto, and Hernandez, ie 8-11 on the Mets depth chart are all better than Dodd
When you have noone else but Dodd to fill in, you have depth problems at starter
Mets are 11 deep. Joey Lucchesi could arguably be in the rotation for many teams. Lucchesi is tenth on the Mets depth chart
Fangraphs depth chart at starter for the Braves doesnt even list a fifth starter because apparently the projections systems find nothing worthy to qualify. All it says is Strider-Elder-Morton and Wright
Dodd, Shuster, Soroka and Vines are not even calculated as possibilities
It’s ok, you can admit, as Ive seen a few do, that the Braves didnt bother to add SP depth, or that they are thin at starter
As I said at the time of the Davidson-Iglesias trade, it was a bad idea that really cuts into the Braves SP depth
AA got a little too excited on that one trading a young depth starter for a reliever in the late stage of decline
Get a job.
It’s hilarious you’re calling it “Davidson-Iglesias” trade, neglecting the $48M ATL absorbed of Iglesias’ contract. If truthful, it should be called the “Chavez-Davidson-CA$H-Iglesias” trade. (And yes, they now have Jesse Chavez).
Davidson was a throw-in.
Ahhhhhh Aqualung
I wondered why Ian Anderson was suddenly so bad. He was not, at least not talent-wise.
came for the jethro tull jokes and was not disappointed
Imagine a triple bill with The Who, Yes, and Them (Van Morrison).
As advertised by Abbott and Costello.