The Atlanta Braves clearly need to figure out how to add some pitching depth. With Reynaldo Lopez out for at least the first half of the season and Spencer Strider dealing with a hamstring issue, adding some depth to cover their innings needs to be a priority. With trades and signings being unlikely at this point of the baseball calendar, that leaves combing the waiver wire for other teams' scraps.
While teams don't like to make trades this early nor are there great free agent options available. Teams are busy getting their rosters set the way they want and that often means a lot of roster casualties and potential opportunities including Ian Anderson.
Anderson was traded to the Angels for Jose Suarez and neither team has felt great about that transaction. The Braves DFA'd Suarez recently and LA followed suit with getting rid of Anderson. However, the Braves' need for arms seems to have forced them to revisit their decision as they just claimed Anderson off of waivers from the Angels.
And there it is: #Braves claimed Ian Anderson off waivers from the Los Angeles Angels.
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) April 27, 2025
Braves reunite with Ian Anderson after he gets sent packing from the Angels
The logic makes sense here in a vacuum. The Braves need arms right now and while Anderson is certainly not an exciting arm anymore, he is at least familiar to Atlanta and can make a spot start or pitch multiple innings of relief against bad teams such as the upcoming series against the Rockies. There is little risk for the Braves because if things don't work out, they can just designate him for assignment again.
Still, it is pretty funny how guys find their way back to the Braves. Craig Kimbrel is close to making his return after a long gap. Jorge Soler got traded back to the Braves again just last year. Atlanta cannot seem to get rid of Jesse Chavez no matter how many times they send him off the roster. Now Anderson is back, although it is fair to wonder for how long.
After already getting traded away and then designated for assignment in the same season, this is probably Anderson's last real shot to stick around in the big leagues. If he pitches well, Atlanta could absolutely use him this year. If he doesn't, expect him to get DFA'd pretty quickly and be forced to accept a minor league assignment this time.