Braves Former 1st-Rounder To Undergo Tommy John; Done For Season

Often, when a pitcher significantly regresses, there's an underlying physical issue. Turns out this is likely the case for young Atlanta Braves right-handed starter Ian Anderson. He'll be forced to undergo Tommy John surgery for a torn UCL.

Atlanta Braves right-hander Ian Anderson will undergo Tommy John surgery, sources tell me and @kileymcd. After a difficult 2022 season, Anderson started the year at AAA and struggled in his first start before being diagnosed with a torn UCL. He's expected to return in 2024.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) April 11, 2023

Anderson was Top 5 in the Rookie of the Year balloting in 2021, after going 9-5 with a 3.58 ERA as a 23-year-old in the Braves' rotation. 2022 was a different story, as Anderson struggled to a 5.00 ERA, a 1.51 WHIP and a woeful 97:54 strikeout to walk ratio in 111.2 innings. 

He struggled again this spring, with a 6.14 ERA, and then again in his first start at Triple-A this month, when he couldn't even get out of the first inning, having surrendered three home runs. 

Anderson was the No.3 overall pick by Atlanta in the 2016 June Draft, and made a great cameo in the shortened 2020 season with the Braves, posting a 1.95 ERA in six starts. He followed that up with the strong full rookie season in '21. 

Now, turning 25 next month, Anderson will be out until sometime in the 2024 season. 

Photo: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports