Atlanta Braves' Ian Anderson rehabs with Augusta GreenJackets

The second trip to the minor leagues was nothing like the first for Atlanta Braves right-hander Ian Anderson.

The 2016 first-round pick made his second rehab start for the Low-A Augusta GreenJackets on Saturday as he recovers from ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) surgery.

While the infamous Tommy John procedure has become commonplace in the baseball ecosystem, it’s a first for Anderson, 26. He missed nearly the entire 2023 season, so just getting back on the mound had to feel like a huge victory.

“It’s definitely a tough process. It’s one of those things that anybody who’s been through it can tell you how it felt, but you probably won’t feel the same way,” he said. “It’s just getting out there, getting on the mound and getting back into reps. It’s been over a year and a half since I’ve pitched a game, so every time I get out there I’ve got to get innings on the arm, get reps on the body and mind and try to build off of that.”

Originally scheduled to go five innings Saturday, weather cut Anderson’s start short against the Columbia Fireflies. He had five strikeouts in 3 1/3 no-hit innings. In four appearances between Augusta and the Braves’ Florida Complex League affiliate, he allowed just one earned run in 11 1/3 innings, striking out 13 batters.

Braves’ Ian Anderson returns to mound after Tommy John surgery

While 11 innings at the two lowest levels of professional baseball may not seem like much, it’s a big step for the 2021 World Series champion. There’s not much progress to be made on the flat field or in the bullpen.

It’s often difficult for an athlete to overcome the mental hurdle of letting go after major surgery, but Anderson’s focus has never wavered since being cleared to throw.

“I never hesitated too much. I trusted the surgery and the procedure, but you never know what the intensity of the game is going to be like until you get in there,” he said. “It’s hard to get to those levels in practice, so I’m at the point now where I just need to get on the mound and be in different situations; face different hitters, see different swings and work on my skills and figure out how to use them again.”

While his numbers have been excellent so far, it’s easy to forget that the most important numbers on a rehab assignment aren’t ERA or strikeout totals. Preparing for a Class A lineup of 20-year-olds with little film and experience is nothing like preparing for a major league start. He’s much less results-oriented in that environment, as it’s more about getting his arm and repertoire up to par.

“I’m working a lot on what I need to improve on. It can be a blessing or a curse not knowing a lot about other teams,” he said. “At this point, it’s just about getting out there, trusting what I’m throwing and getting into the rhythm and the patterns that I like to use. I think that’s more important than the results.”

Anderson leans on brother, teammates after surgery

Anderson didn’t have to look far for advice after his surgery. His twin brother, Ben, a Texas Rangers prospect, had undergone the same surgery about seven months earlier.

There’s almost a brotherhood that forms among pitchers as they go through the rehab process after Tommy John, and it’s alive and well in the Braves organization.

“He was a great guy to lean on. Tyler Matzek was great too. I talked to him a lot,” Anderson said. “Everybody in the organization was really good and in Florida too, we had a group of guys that were going through the same thing. You kind of bond with them. They help you through it and you help them, and now we’re at the point where guys I was with are starting to go to affiliates to pitch and it’s fun to follow them.”

Anderson brings presence to major league clubhouse at Augusta

The last time Anderson visited Augusta, he played at Lake Olmstead Stadium. SRP Park wouldn’t open for another year. It didn’t take him long to remind his GreenJackets teammates how much better off they’d be in 2024.

“I remember playing in the old stadium in 2017 when I was with Roma and this is definitely a step up from that. It’s a great addition to the Braves’ affiliates,” he said. “I’m telling the guys out there that it’s a lot easier now in the minor leagues than it was when I was playing.”

Although he’s looking to return to the big leagues, Anderson takes his role seriously. He strives to help the young players he meets along the way, because a year away from the game can provide some perspective.

“It’s fun. There’s a lot of young guys here that I feel like I can help a little bit, because I’ve been through what they’re going through and what they’re trying to accomplish,” he said. “I try to help them as much as I can, and more importantly, I just enjoy being back on a team and being back on the bench.”

The big question remains: When will Ian Anderson return to the Braves’ starting rotation?

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