Dodgers Spring Training: Brett Anderson Happy With Minor-League Start

For a team that’s built on pitching, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ starting rotation is arguably their biggest concern with Opening Day drawing closer.

With injuries to Hyun-jin Ryu and a shortage of pitchers in the Minors who are big-league ready, the importance of a healthy and ready Brett Anderson has increased dramatically. This is why, on Tuesday, with the Dodgers having an off-day from Cactus League play, the 27-year-old lefty started a game against the Milwaukee Brewers’ Class-A affiliate.

Anderson pitched into the sixth inning, got roughed up a bit and called it a day. All told, he allowed three runs on nine hits. Despite things getting away from him in the final inning of work, Anderson came away pleased, according to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com:

It was good,” he said. “You never know what to expect in a ‘B’ game. I got my work in with an asterisk. I was only going five, but my pitch count was efficient and I’d rather get fatigued on the mound in a game than throw more in the bullpen. My stuff was better, crisper.”

Anderson is 1-0 with a 4.05 ERA in three spring starts this year. He had a rough go in his most recent start (March 9) which came against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. In the outing, he allowed three runs on seven hits in just 1.2 innings.

Anderson later said he believed he was affected by an interrupted warm-up routine that was a result of learning the Angels’ bus was stuck in traffic. With Ryu expected to begin the season on the disabled list, Anderson figures to slot in as the Dodgers’ fourth starter.

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