Braves’ Ian Anderson takes care of fourth rehab start

Atlanta Braves starter Ian Anderson looked healthy in his final rehab start. Anderson made his fourth rehab start overall and second for the Class A Augusta GreenJackets.

Before the game was postponed due to rain, Anderson pitched 3 1/3 innings, allowing no hits, one walk and striking out five batters.

The GreenJackets were leading the Columbia Fireflies 6-0 before the rain delay. Since this was the final game of the series, the game will be made up on Tuesday, August 27 as part of a doubleheader where the GreenJackets and Fireflies will face off again.

So we’re going to find ourselves in a strange situation where Anderson will be pitching in a game played well after his rehab assignment is over.

I don’t see that very often.

In four rehab starts, Anderson pitched 11 1/3 innings, allowing just one run (0.79 ERA), striking out 12 and allowing just four hits and two walks. He didn’t allow a run in two rehab starts in Class A.

It makes sense that Anderson would be out of action in August. He could be heading to Class A Rome or maybe Gwinnett for his next assignment.

Anderson is rehabbing from Tommy John surgery. He suffered a torn uterine collateral ligament in April 2023. Anderson’s rehab can also be considered his return to the major leagues.

His last regular-season appearance with the Braves was on Aug. 12, 2022, in the second half of a doubleheader against the Miami Marlins. He was sent to Gwinnett after that start.

His last appearance in a Braves uniform was during the 2023 spring training season.

In 52 career MLB starts, Anderson is 22-13 with a 3.97 ERA in 262 in 272 1/3 innings pitched.

Anderson is best known as one of the heroes of the Braves’ 2021 World Series. In four postseason starts, he pitched 17 innings and finished with a 1.59 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and .153 opponents’ batting average.