The Atlanta Braves signed veteran third baseman and right fielder Brian Anderson on Tuesday.
In a corresponding move, left-hander Tyler Matzek was moved to the 60-day injured list to make room for Anderson on the 40-man roster. Matzek has been sidelined since early May due to left elbow inflammation.
The Braves had a spot on the active roster after optioning catcher Chadwick Tromp to Triple-A Gwinnett on Monday.
Anderson, 31, played 42 games this season for the Seattle Mariners’ Triple-A affiliate in Tacoma before opting out of his minor league contract and becoming a free agent on Saturday. He batted .270 with six home runs and 28 RBIs.
He played in 531 games from 2017-22 for the Miami Marlins, batting .256 with 57 homers and 233 RBIs. Anderson spent last season with the Milwaukee Brewers and batted .226 with nine homers and 40 RBIs in 96 games.
Anderson has played most of his major league career at third base (402 games) or right field (221), with a handful of games at designated hitter, left field, second base, first base and shortstop.
Braves manager Brian Snitker said Anderson will provide depth on the roster.
“Experience at third and at first,” Snitker said. “And I think you’re always looking for ways to deepen your organization. We’d seen him from across the way there a long time, and he’s a really good player. And I think just the opportunity to add somebody like that is good.”
–Field Level Media
