Braves make flurry of initial Spring Training roster moves, Final spot in the rotation, The Braves trimmed five members from big league…..
The Braves trimmed down their roster for the first time during Spring Training today, optioning Ian Anderson, Dylan Dodd, Daysbel Hernández, Darius Vines, and Allan Winans to Gwinnett.
There aren’t many surprising moves here. The most notable is Daysbel Hernández. He was potentially in the running for one of the final spots in the bullpen, but with the way Ken Giles has looked early on in Spring Training, this isn’t much of a shock.
Ian Anderson will begin the year on the 60-day IL as he recovers from Tommy John surgery. The other three — Dylan Dodd, Darius Vines, and Allan Winans — will likely be mainstays in Gwinnett’s rotation this year. All are young pitchers who could receive a spot start in Atlanta during the season, but they aren’t going to begin the year on the Opening Day roster.
The final spot in the rotation looks to be between Reynaldo Lopez, AJ Smith-Shawver, Bryce Elder, and Hurston Waldrep. Those are four talented arms vying for one roster spot, a testament to the incredible starting pitching depth at the Braves disposal.
MLB Next Game – Atlanta Braves
Anderson continues to recover from Tommy John Surgery and figures to begin his rehab work in the minor leagues in the coming months. The former top-prospect could be a second half addition to the Braves’ rotation if he’s able to regain his form.
Dodd, Vines and Winans, who all pitched sparingly in Atlanta last year, will be featured in Gwinnett’s rotation this upcoming season. As we have seen in prior years, don’t be surprised if all three get their names called at some point this season as the Braves tap into their minor league depth to help cover innings over the summer months.
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Former Atlanta Braves’ Top Prospect and WS Hero Working Back From Tommy John Surgery
The Atlanta Braves hope to have pitcher Ian Anderson back around the All-Star break as he rehabs from Tommy John surgery that he underwent early in 2023.
From ‘The Athletic:’
Anderson is at the long-toss rehab phase — firm throws from 120 feet in four sessions per week — and still has plenty of work ahead. But he’s right where he and the Braves hoped he’d be nearly 11 months into rehab. Once he starts throwing off a mound, things could progress rapidly.
Anderson said he’s slightly altered his distinct straight-over-the-top pitching motion and is using his legs more to put less stress on his arm. He isn’t getting ahead of himself trying to rush back. He’s taken things at a prudent pace directed by the Braves and he doesn’t want to screw up after getting this deep in recovery without incident.
Even when Anderson is ready to come back, he may need to start in Triple-A. After a great start to his career in 2020 and 2021, Anderson regressed mightily in 2022. The Braves have a stacked rotation with Max Fried, Spencer Strider, Chris Sale and Charlie Morton and depending on how things go with the No. 5 spot and pitcher health, they may not need Anderson right away at the major league level.
Still, the idea of getting back the former No. 3 pick in the MLB Draft is an enticing one for Atlanta. The 25-year-old helped the Braves win the World Series in 2021 and is 22-13 lifetime with a 3.97 ERA.
He’s also 4-0 with a 1.26 ERA in the playoffs for his career.
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