Braves Bring Back World Series Champion Pitcher 1 Month After Trading Him

It seemed like it might be only a matter of time before right-handed pitcher Ian Anderson returned to the Atlanta Braves when the Los Angeles Angels designated him for assignment on April 23. But it's now official.

The Braves announced Sunday it has claimed Anderson off waivers from the Angels.

The #Braves today claimed RHP Ian Anderson off waivers from the Los Angeles Angels.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) April 27, 2025

MLB.com's Mark Bowman and The AJC's Justin Toscano reported Anderson will join the Braves in Denver for the team's three-game series versus the Colorado Rockies starting on Monday.

Bryce Elder is scheduled to start Monday's game. The Braves have yet to announce a starter for Tuesday's game while Chris Sale is set to start again for the series finale Wednesday.

Anderson could be a possibility to start Tuesday. Bowman, though, expects AJ Smith-Shawver to receive his next opportunity to start that night while Anderson provides long relief out of the bullpen.

Ian Anderson will meet the Braves in Denver tomorrow. He'll be available out of the pen when Elder starts tomorrow. They haven't announced whether Smith-Shawver will start Tuesday. My guess is he will and Anderson would just provide depth during the series at Coors Field.
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) April 27, 2025

Anderson spent 2025 Spring Training with the Braves, but Atlanta somewhat surprisingly elected to trade Anderson before the start of the regular season.

The Braves made that decision likely because Anderson didn't make the MLB Opening Day roster. Anderson was out of minor league options, so he was going to have to pass through waivers for the Braves to send him to Triple-A Gwinnett.

During Spring Training, Anderson posted a 2-2 record with a 2.25 ERA in 20 innings. Anderson allowed only a .119 batting average against, but he registered a 1.40 WHIP because he averaged one walk per inning.

Anderson didn't start any games for the Angels but made 11 relief appearances. The right-hander was highly ineffective, registering an 11.57 ERA and 2.571 WHIP in 9.1 innings.

Anderson struggled in a lot of areas with the Angels, including throwing strikes. He walked seven batters and gave up 17 hits, including two homers, in the 9.1 frames.

About half a decade ago, Anderson was a highly effective starter during the playoffs for the Braves. He went 4-0 with a 1.26 ERA in eight postseason starts for Atlanta from 2020-21.

During his last full regular season before injury issues in 2023 and 2024, Anderson went 10-6 with a 5.00 ERA and 1.513 WHIP in 111.2 MLB innings during 2022.

The Braves drafted Anderson in the first round of the 2016 MLB amateur draft.