Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts announced Brett Anderson will make his 2016 debut in Sunday’s series finale against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Anderson began the season on the 60-day disabled list as he recovered from back surgery.
At the time of undergoing the operation in early March, the 28-year-old was projected to miss three to five months. Anderson began a rehab assignment with High-A Rancho Cucamonga on July 28.
He allowed one run and had one strikeout in the scheduled three innings of work. Anderson made another start with the Quakes, then joined Triple-A Oklahoma City for a third and final rehab outing.
The southpaw tossed a combined 12 innings, allowed five runs (three earned) and had 11 strikeouts. Anderson expressed confidence after his start for Oklahoma City that he was prepared to be reinstated from the disabled list.
“I’m excited for Brett. It’s been a long road for him,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Friday. “To get him back is obviously a good thing for us.” Once Anderson makes his start Los Angeles would have seen the return of their three key starters who began the year on the DL.
Though as it currently stands, only Anderson and Brandon McCarthy appear to be healthy. Ryu was recently transferred to the 60-day DL with left-elbow tendinitis.
Anderson career highs last season with 31 starts and 180.1 innings pitched. He 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.