In 2020 and 2021, Atlanta Braves right-hander Ian Anderson became one of the select few players in history to receive Rookie of the Year votes in two different seasons. He is now a minor leaguer. The Braves optioned Anderson to Triple-A Gwinnett amid a flurry of roster moves Sunday, the team announced.
Anderson, 24, allowed four runs in 4 2/3 innings in Friday’s win against the New York Mets, though he has struggled most of the season. Anderson has a 5.11 ERA with an MLB-leading 53 walks in 21 starts and 105 2/3 innings in 2022. Anderson pitched to a 3.25 ERA in 160 2/3 innings in 2020-21. The Triple-A assignment will be an opportunity to reset.
Meanwhile, the Braves will stick with Jake Odorizzi as the No. 5 starter behind Max Fried, Spencer Strider, Charlie Morton and Kyle Wright. Strider, a rookie, has thrown 87 innings this year, just south of his career high (94 in 2021). The Braves will need to control their workload down the stretch and Anderson could be needed at some point to absorb innings.
The Braves lost three of four to the Mets this weekend to fall 5 1/2 games back in the NL East. No division race is over on Aug. 7, though Atlanta’s chances of a fifth straight division title took a significant hit this weekend.
