While the Los Angeles Dodgers may very well bolster their starting rotation with an acquisition prior to Monday’s non-waiver trade deadline, the return of Brett Anderson might come within the next two weeks.
Anderson began his rehab assignment with High-A Rancho Cucamonga on Thursday, throwing the planned three innings. He allowed one run on five hits, had one strikeout and tossed 36 pitches in his first game since undergoing back surgery in early March.
The 28-year-old threw an additional 20 pitches in the bullpen session to cap off his night of work. Anderson came out of the start with only normal soreness, which was a welcomed report for a club that’s struggled to maintain a healthy rotation all season.
“Brett is looking at five innings, whether it be with Oklahoma City or Rancho Cucamonga,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said over the weekend. Assuming that too goes well, Anderson will make a third rehab start of seven innings in length.
At that point the Dodgers will then be expected to make a decision on potentially reinstating the southpaw from the 60-day disabled list. Regardless of whether Anderson joins Triple-A Oklahoma City or remains with the Quakes, his next start will be in a road game for the designated Minor League affiliate.
Anderson went 10-9 with a 3.69 ERA, 3.94 FIP, 1.33 WHIP and led the Majors with a 66.3 ground ball percentage in his first season with the Dodgers. What’s more, he set career highs with 31 starts and 180.1 innings pitched.
