The Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday reinstated Brett Anderson from the 15-day disabled list. He starts the series opener against the Colorado Rockies, and gives the Dodgers 37 players on their active roster.
Anderson returned in August from back surgery but only managed to make two starts before he was placed back on the DL. The southpaw was removed from his 2016 debut after just one inning because of a mild left wrist sprain.
Anderson allowed allowed five runs on five hits, including a pair of homers, prior to exiting. He shook off the injury to start six days later against the Cincinnati Reds.
Again, Anderson’s start was cut short due to injury (blister on left index finger). He was hit hard and had more trouble with the blister in a rehab start with High-A Rancho Cucamonga.
That put a return this season into question, though Anderson recovered to go out on another rehab assignment, starting Game 3 of the Pacific Coast League for Triple-A Oklahoma City.
He allowed just one run on three hits and had five strikeouts over five innings. Anderson is essentially auditioning to be the Dodgers’ fourth starter in a potential postseason rotation.
He figures to be joined in that competition by Scott Kazmir, who is expected to be activated and start Friday, and potentially Brandon McCarthy. Anderson has allowed 11 earned runs and three home runs in his two starts (four-plus innings) this season.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said this week Anderson is now able to get his sinker over, which he previously wasn’t able to because of the blister.
