The Atlanta Braves traded right-handed pitcher Ian Anderson to the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday in exchange for left-handed pitcher Jose Suarez.
Anderson, 26, had been competing for a spot in the Braves’ starting rotation but hasn’t pitched in the majors since undergoing Tommy John surgery in April 2023. This spring, he walked 20 batters in 20 innings, including two in three scoreless innings on Sunday against the Baltimore Orioles. He also recorded 10 strikeouts and posted a 2.25 ERA in six games (four starts).
Angels manager Ron Washington, who coached in Atlanta from 2017-23, commented, “Before his injury, Anderson was an emerging, solid pitcher. I don’t think his pitching ability has diminished. Our bullpen was left-handed-heavy, so this trade gives us the opportunity to add a right-hander. While Anderson is primarily a starter, I believe he’ll be a valuable asset in the bullpen. We’re looking to improve as we head into Opening Day.”
The Braves selected Anderson third overall in the 2016 MLB Draft. From 2020 to 2022, he posted a 22-13 record with a 3.97 ERA, 121 walks, and 262 strikeouts in 272 1/3 innings across 52 regular-season starts. In the postseason, he was 4-0 with a 1.26 ERA, 17 walks, and 40 strikeouts in 35 2/3 innings during the 2020-21 seasons, which included the Braves’ 2021 World Series championship run.
Suarez, 27, finished last season with a 1-2 record, one save, a 5.47 ERA, 27 walks, and 56 strikeouts in 52 1/3 innings over 22 games (three starts), transitioning from a starter to a reliever. A Venezuela native, Suarez has spent his entire career with the Angels since his debut in 2019. He has a 20-29 record with one save, a 5.47 ERA, 154 walks, and 346 strikeouts in 376 2/3 innings over 99 games (61 starts).
Washington praised Suarez, saying, “The Braves are getting a bulldog. We’ll miss him. I’m not suggesting he wasn’t valuable to us. We make moves to improve, and Suarez happened to be the player we traded for. Atlanta likely needed him, and we felt we needed Ian Anderson.”
