The Atlanta Braves’ decision to part ways with right-hander Ian Anderson, sending him to the Los Angeles Angels just a week before Opening Day, marked a bittersweet moment for the franchise. Once seen as a future cornerstone of the rotation—after earning NL Rookie of the Year votes in back-to-back seasons and delivering clutch postseason performances—Anderson’s trajectory was derailed by injuries. His struggles during spring training forced Atlanta to confront the tough truth: he was no longer a dependable big-league starter.
That reality hit even harder this week as the Braves effectively admitted defeat in the Anderson trade, designating José Suarez for assignment on Monday. While Suarez posted a solid-looking 2.45 ERA, the numbers didn’t tell the full story. He walked more batters than he struck out and relied on an unsustainable .118 BABIP, signaling trouble ahead. The decision to cut ties was a clear move toward reshuffling a bullpen that’s still searching for consistency.
To replace Suarez, Atlanta turned to Scott Blewett, a right-hander who’s already bounced between three teams in 2025, including the Twins and Orioles. So far, Blewett has impressed with a 1.00 ERA and 11 strikeouts in nine innings, and the Braves are hoping he can bring stability to the bullpen ahead of closer Raisel Iglesias, especially as the team fights to stay competitive in the NL East.
As for Anderson, the change of scenery hasn’t helped much. He’s struggled with the Angels, posting a 9.72 ERA over six relief outings, allowing six walks in just 8.1 innings—numbers that feel all too familiar to Braves fans. The Angels, short on pitching options, aren’t likely to cut ties yet, but the trade already appears to be a lose-lose situation for both clubs.
Still, there was a silver lining for Atlanta in making the move. While saying goodbye to Anderson was tough, it opened the door to potentially strengthening a bullpen that GM Alex Anthopoulos curiously neglected during the offseason. Though José Suarez didn’t pan out, he at least offered Brian Snitker another lefty option. Sometimes, all you can do is make the best of a tough hand—and keep churning until something sticks.
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