The Royals have agreed to a minor league contract with right-handed reliever Justin Anderson, per their transaction log at MLB.com. He’s been assigned to Triple-A Omaha.
Now 30 years outdated, the hard-throwing Anderson debuted with the Angels again in 2018 and spent the majority of the 2018-19 seasons in a high-leverage position with the Halos. Throughout that two-year stretch, he picked up 5 saves and 33 holds, pitching to an total 4.75 ERA in 102 1/3 innings out of the bullpen. Averaging 96 mph together with his heater (together with 97.5 mph in his debut season), Anderson fanned 27.7% of his opponents however repeatedly battled command points, evidenced by a woeful 15.7% stroll price (plus 5 hit batters and 13 wild pitches).
Regardless of his command struggles, Anderson had usually carved out a spot within the Angels’ bullpen — however a Grade 2 indirect pressure early in camp in 2020 adopted by a torn ligament in his pitching elbow when ramping up for the shortened 2020 season modified that outlook. Anderson underwent Tommy John surgical procedure in late July of 2020, and the Halos non-tendered him within the offseason moderately than giving him a increase in arbitration whereas figuring out he’d possible miss all the 2021 season.
Anderson signed a two-year minor league contract with the Rangers that offseason — a deal clearly brokered with a watch towards the 2022 season. Anderson had an honest displaying in spring coaching 2022 however didn’t crack the Opening Day roster in Texas. He by no means obtained a lot of an opportunity to earn a spot of their bullpen, both, as he was positioned again on the injured record after simply three Triple-A appearances and didn’t return to the mound final yr.
Anderson possible has a methods to go earlier than he’s thought-about a viable possibility for the Kansas Metropolis bullpen, however the Royals must be taking all of the fliers they’ll, given the struggles of their reduction corps in 2023. The Kansas Metropolis bullpen ranks twenty eighth within the Majors with a 5.10 ERA. Aroldis Chapman, Scott Barlow and Taylor Clarke are all having good seasons, and lefty Amir Garrett is touting a 3.00 ERA (even when he’s unlikely to maintain it because of a ghastly 17.7% stroll price).
The Royals have struggled to seek out stable performers past that bunch, and given their standing as clear sellers this summer time, they might quickly be in want of much more bullpen assist. Chapman and Barlow will likely be prime commerce candidates, provided that Chapman is taking part in on an reasonably priced one-year deal and Barlow is managed solely by way of the 2024 season. Clarke may additionally draw curiosity, however he has one other two seasons of membership management remaining past the present one, so Kansas Metropolis may be a bit extra inclined to hold onto him. Garrett, additionally a free agent at season’s finish, may maintain attraction as a hard-throwing lefty who can miss bats, however the aforementioned poor command is a longstanding concern that has escalated to new heights in 2023.
