Dodgers Team News

Dodgers News: Brett Anderson Enjoys Pitching With A Strong Defense

Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

In August of last year, Brett Anderson had season-ending surgery to remove a herniated disk in his back, has since made a full recovery and is now pitching for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Anderson didn’t suffer any setbacks over the last two weeks of Spring Training and thus made his debut Monday against the San Francisco Giants at Scottsdale Stadium. The left-hander joined a team that has a revamped middle infield, which Anderson was pleased to pitch in front of, via Eric Stephen of True Blue LA:



First time pitching in front of the defense, it was awesome,” Anderson said. “For what I do, it will be extremely beneficial. Getting ground balls, and the range. I told Adrian [Gonzalez], ‘Just pretend like I’m not there. Anything that’s not within five feet of me, just take it yourself.’ For the first time getting acclimated, I think it’s going to be a plus-plus defense.”

Anderson hopes to remain healthy this season, which hasn’t been an easy task as he’s made seven trips to the disabled list in the last eight season. With medical issues hopefully behind him, Anderson is focusing on pitching:

Now I can just worry about doing my routine and worry about what happens every five days,” Anderson said, “being in playing mode rather than rehab mode.”

Due to the fact that he’s been plagued by injuries, Anderson has not pitched in more than 19 games since 2009 when he appeared in 30 games for the Oakland Athletics. To his credit, Anderson has been effective when he is not inured.

In 43.1 innings last season, he lefty only gave up one home run. It may seem insignificant, but it is actually quite impressive for a pitcher in Colorado, as Coors Field is one of the most notorious hitters’ ballparks in the league.

Anderson’s ability to induce ground balls will fit in nicely with the Dodgers new infield. With Gold-Glove award winner Adrian Gonzalez at first, and veterans Howie Kendrick and Jimmy Rollins up the middle, this combination should be a recipe of success for the Dodgers.

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