Just a few years removed from postseason glory, Ian Anderson’s latest chapter in the big leagues has hit another roadblock. The Los Angeles Angels designated the former Atlanta Braves starter for assignment on Wednesday, officially cutting ties after a rocky stint in Anaheim. The move, noted on the team’s transaction page, came as part of a larger shuffle within the Angels’ pitching staff.

Anderson, 26, struggled to find his footing in his seven appearances with the Angels, surrendering 12 earned runs across just 9 1/3 innings. Opponents hit a blistering .386 against him, and his 11.57 ERA and 2.57 WHIP reflected serious command and execution issues. It’s a sharp decline for a pitcher who, not long ago, etched his name into Atlanta Braves lore.

Anderson opened the 2025 season in Spring Training with Atlanta and posted a 2.25 ERA over 20 innings. But the underlying numbers raised alarms-he walked nearly a batter per inning and couldn’t consistently find the strike zone, throwing fewer than 50% of his pitches for strikes. Atlanta decided to move on, shipping Anderson to the Angels on March 23 in exchange for left-hander José Suarez. In an ironic twist, Suarez was also designated for assignment just weeks later. With the Angels acquiring Scott Blewett over the weekend, Anderson became the odd man out on the 40-man roster.

Suarez fared slightly better in his brief Braves tenure, logging a 2.45 ERA in three appearances, including two long relief outings. But like Anderson, his WHIP (1.36) suggested trouble with traffic on the basepaths. With both pitchers now off their respective rosters, the trade becomes a push-two clubs taking a flier that didn’t pay off.

For Braves fans, however, Anderson’s place in history is secure. The former first-round pick played a pivotal role in Atlanta’s 2021 World Series title run, posting a 1.59 ERA over four postseason starts. His crown jewel? A five-inning scoreless gem in Game 3 of the World Series, helping swing momentum in the Braves’ favor. That October brilliance now feels like a distant memory as Anderson faces another career crossroads. Whether he lands with a new team or heads to Triple-A remains to be seen, but the baseball world will be watching to see if the former postseason hero can recapture the magic.