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Dodgers former starter and potential trade target Tyler Anderson

The Atlanta Braves need to acquire starting pitching in some capacity.

After the news of Spencer Strider starting the season on the Injured List with an oblique strain, the Braves are backed into a corner. However, there’s still time to think about adding a starting pitcher via free agency, and there are still quality options available.

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Should the Braves Sign Tyler Anderson?

In an article for The Sporting News, writer Matt Sullivan names Tyler Anderson as a starter the Braves could target in MLB free agency:

“While Montas and Cortes struggled last season, Tyler Anderson with the Los Angeles Angels wasn’t a terrible starter. In 27 starts, the 36-year-old had 104 strikeouts with a 4.56 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP.”

“He’s not the best option, but the veteran starter wouldn’t be the worst option to get the Braves through the beginning of the year while they’re down a lot of key starters.”

Tyler Anderson is a two-time All-Star and has made 31 and 26 starts in each of the last two years. The Braves need a starter who can eat up innings until Spencer Strider, Spencer Schwellenbach, and Hurston Waldrep return.

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Tyler Anderson’s MLB Journey

Tyler Anderson began his career in 2016 with the Colorado Rockies and is a 10-year veteran with 1259 total innings pitched. Perhaps his best season came in 2022 with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Anderson made 28 starts and posted an ERA of 2.57 with just 34 walks. He would be a good cheap starter option for the Atlanta Braves.

He has five seasons of 140+ innings pitched and two All-Star appearances. His future plans are a little unclear, which could keep him back from signing with anyone, but Atlanta needs a veteran option (and another lefty) to insert in the starting rotation.

GettyEx-Dodgers pitcher Tyler Anderson

Braves Starting Rotation in Banged Up

Opening Day hasn’t even passed in MLB, and the Braves’ injuries are already piling up at a high rate.

Spencer Strider is the latest of a group that includes Schwellenbach, Waldrep, and Joey Wentz. Reynaldo Lopez is slated to be the Braves’ No.3 option, and he hasn’t pitched in nearly a year.

Atlanta will now rely on arms like Bryce Elder and Jose Suarez for the first couple of months of the 2026 season.

Should they consider adding Tyler Anderson sometime in the early going?

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