Throughout spring training, one constant narrative throughout Atlanta Braves' spring training has been that Ian Anderson was going to get every chance to win a roster spot. Not only is he a former top draft pick who has pitched in some big games for the Braves, but he is also out of minor league options.
All Anderson had to do was be passable. He didn't have to do his best Spencer Strider impression (although that would have been nice), he just had show that he was approaching the form he once had before needing Tommy John surgery to get an opportunity to start again.
Instead, Anderson has struggled mightily to find the strike zone in camp and now what seemed to be a relatively simple roster decision has turned into one that is anything but simple. It seems like the Braves are at least entertaining other rotation options this late in the game as the team revealed that Bryce Elder will get the innings on Saturday that were previously meant for Anderson.
Bryce Elder will follow Reynaldo López. Snit had said it was supposed to be Ian Anderson, so plans changed there.
— Justin Toscano (@JustinCToscano) March 22, 2025
Ian Anderson's spring struggles with Braves have seemingly opened the door for other rotation options
Now, there is a very real chance that this is only a bit of shuffling and nothing more. The Braves did go on to reveal that Anderson would follow Spencer Strider on Sunday. It is possible, if not likely, that Atlanta is just lining their guys up for the start of the 2025 season and just preferred to move Anderson to a day later.
However, that is still a bit odd. If Anderson was all but set to start the season in the rotation, the team would want to build up his innings. Instead, he is being handcuffed to Strider who is also having his innings built up and who looked amazing in his first spring start. If Strider goes four or five innings, why have Anderson get mop up duty there instead of following Lopez who might not throw particularly long in Saturday's matchup?
The answer may be in Anderson's issues with walks this spring. While Anderson's 2.65 ERA in spring training this year looks good on the surface, it is a minor miracle that his surface numbers have been that good as he has walked a staggering 18 batters against just eight strikeouts in 17 innings of work. Atlanta may not want to completely give up on Anderson yet, but a move to the bullpen feels more likely now than it did when camp started.
With the regular season getting started next week, we'll know soon as to what the Braves have up their sleeve. However, we could be in for a bit of a surprise once the Opening Day roster is announced especially if it proves correct that the Braves have soured on Anderson even more.