BREAKING: Atlanta Braves Pitcher Ian Anderson to Undergo Tommy John Surgery
Atlanta Braves right-handed pitcher Ian Anderson is set to undergo Tommy John surgery and will miss the rest of the season, per Jeff Passan of ESPN.
Passan tweeted Tuesday afternoon: "Atlanta Braves right-hander Ian Anderson will undergo Tommy John surgery, sources tell me and @kileymcd. After a difficult 2022 season, Anderson started the year at AAA and struggled in his first start before being diagnosed with a torn UCL. He's expected to return in 2024."
Maybe the elbow issue explains some of the struggles for Anderson over the last eight months or so. He started high leverage playoff games in both the 2020 and 2021 seasons for Atlanta, including throwing five shutout innings in the 2021 World Series, but was sent to AAA last season and finished the year with an ERA of 5.00.
He struggled this spring and gave up four earned runs in 0.2 innings during his first start of the year at AAA Gwinnett.
Anderson's injury is the latest blow to a Braves team that has dealt with a bunch in the early going of this season. Ace Max Fried was put on the injured list following Opening Day with a hamstring issue while closer Raisel Iglesias is still on the shelf, as is catcher Travis D'Arnaud, who was placed on the seven-day concussion IL this week.
Luckily for the Braves, right-hander Kyle Wright, who won 21 games a season ago is back and will make his season debut tonight against the Cincinnati Reds.
If the Braves need additional arms this season, Anderson is obviously not an option, but perhaps Mike Soroka will be. He's also working his way back from rehab after missing most of the last three seasons with injury.
He made a rehab start at AAA last night and Braves Insider Grant McAauley has the details.
#Braves Michael Soroka's final line in his second start for @GoStripers: 4 IP, 3H, 1ER, 2BB, 5K (69 pitches/41 strikes).
Tonight's game against the Reds begins at 7:20 p.m. ET.
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