Per the Braves official X/Twitter account, the Braves have signed infielder Brian Anderson to a major-league contract. He will join the active roster. In a corresponding move to make room on the 40-man roster, Tyler Matzek has been transferred from the 15-day IL to the 60-day IL.
The #Braves today signed INF Brian Anderson to a major league contract and he will be active for tonight’s game at Boston. To make room on the 40-man roster, Atlanta transferred LHP Tyler Matzek to the 60-day injured list.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) June 4, 2024
Brian Anderson is a decent player that Braves fans should be familiar with, as he spent the first six years of his career with the Miami Marlins. He can back up at multiple positions, including the outfield, and has a little bit of pop in his bat.
Anderson’s best season came back in 2019 when he had 33 doubles, 20 homers, and an .811 OPS for The Fish. Last season, he had nine homers and a .698 OPS in 96 games for the Milwaukee Brewers. He’s quality depth for a team that needed it due to a slew of injuries.
However, the story that will catch the eyes of Braves Country is the decision to move Tyler Matzek to the 60-day IL. Unfortunately, it seems like the club’s only two options were to do this or designate him for assignment. The Braves simply have too many high quality bullpen options available, and Matzek has not been himself since his memorable 2021 campaign when he helped lift the Braves to the World Series. He’s suffered from several shoulder injuries and underwent Tommy John surgery at the end of the 2022 season.
Through 11 appearances this year, Tyler Matzek has a 9.90 ERA. He’s lost multiple miles per hour on his heater and looks like a shell of the pitcher he once was on the mound. Perhaps, with more rest and rehabilitation, we could see some positive changes, which is probably what the Braves are counting on.
However, it definitely feels like we may have already seen the last of Tyler Matzek in Atlanta. It’s an unfortunate turn of events, as it seems like he left it all on the field during that 2021 run to the World Series. But because of that, he will be remembered as a legend in Braves Country for eternity.
—
Photo: Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire
You must log in to post a comment.