The Dodgers sign a right-handed pitcher Nick Anderson in a minor league deal. Joel Sherman of the New York Post reported that the two sides had agreed to a contract, while Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic confirmed that it would be a minor league deal. Anderson was designated for assignment by the Royals before the All-Star break and cleared waivers on Saturday.
Anderson pitched well for the Braves in the first half of the 2023 season, posting a 3.06 ERA and 3.47 SIERA in 35 games, while collecting four wins, one save, and 15 shutouts. Unfortunately, a shoulder injury ended his year in mid-July. Despite his promising first half, the Braves traded Anderson to the Royals following the season for cash.
The 34-year-old right-hander couldn’t repeat his early success in 2024, posting a 4.04 ERA and 4.39 SIERA in 37 outings with Kansas City. Although his fastball velocity is up slightly from last season, Anderson has struggled in almost every way: His strikeout rate is down, his walk rate is up, and he has given up nearly twice as many home runs as last year. of innings. Considering his poor numbers this season and extensive injury history over the past few years, it was no surprise that Anderson was DFA’d after the Royals traded for the right-hander. Hunter Harvey. That said, Kansas City may have been hoping another team would claim Anderson off waivers and take his 2024 salary off their books.
Instead, the Dodgers waited and signed Anderson to a minor league deal, meaning they would only need to pay him a split portion of the minor league salary. Although Clayton Kershaw again Tyler Glasnow scheduled to return to IL next week, the Dodgers could use all the pitching help they can get. The injury bug has hit their rotation more than their bullpen, but LA currently doesn’t have the same relievers Brusdar Graterol, Ryan Brasieragain Michael Grove. More importantly, the Dodgers just need to make sure they have enough healthy arms — starters or relievers — to make it through the rest of the season.
That said, the Dodgers hope Anderson can be more than a warm body. This organization has a great reputation for developing arms and helping veteran pitchers reinvent themselves. Maybe LA can help Anderson rediscover what made him so comfortable at earlier points in his career. In addition to his strong 2023 campaign with the Braves, he was dominant from 2019-20 with the Marlins and Rays, pitching to a 2.77 ERA and 2.14 SIERA in 87 games.
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