ANAHEIM, Calif. — The Los Angeles Angels have bolstered their pitching lineup by acquiring right-handed pitcher Ian Anderson from the Atlanta Braves. In return, the Braves received left-hander José Suárez from the Angels.
Anderson, known for his commendable performance this spring, posted a 2.65 ERA across 17 innings, although he allowed 18 walks in that span. These figures included four starting appearances. The young pitcher hasn’t made a major league appearance since the 2022 season due to Tommy John surgery performed earlier in 2023. Despite this setback, he was actively competing for a spot on the Braves’ roster in recent months.
The 26-year-old standout was originally drafted third overall by the Braves in 2016. Over three seasons in the majors, Anderson boasts a respectable 22-13 win-loss record and a 3.97 ERA. He made his MLB debut in 2020 and played a significant role in Atlanta’s 2021 World Series victory. His postseason performance is particularly memorable for his Game 3 start against Houston, where he delivered five hitless innings.
However, Anderson encountered difficulties in the 2022 season, which ultimately led to a demotion to the minors. He managed to make 15 minor league starts after his surgery recovery.
Suárez, on the other hand, has been with the Angels since he was signed from Venezuela as a teenager in 2014. He became an integral part of the Angels’ rotation, starting 34 games from 2021-2022. Yet, Suárez’s performance took a downturn in early 2023. Over the past two years, he found himself shifting between the Angels’ starting rotation, the bullpen, and even the minor leagues, as he tried to regain his previous success.
This transaction marks the fourth trade between the Angels and Braves this offseason. The ties between the teams’ management run deep, as current Angels general manager Perry Minasian once worked under Braves president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos, during their tenures with both the Blue Jays and the Braves. The collaboration between the two front offices has been mutually beneficial during the recent trade dealings.