{"id":666089,"date":"2026-04-06T08:12:28","date_gmt":"2026-04-06T08:12:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/666089\/"},"modified":"2026-04-06T08:12:28","modified_gmt":"2026-04-06T08:12:28","slug":"atlanta-braves-world-series-champion-is-an-mlb-free-agent","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/666089\/","title":{"rendered":"Atlanta Braves World Series Champion Is An MLB Free Agent"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>\t\t\t\t<img width=\"780\" height=\"520\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-1348320793.jpg\" class=\"attachment-featured-image size-featured-image wp-post-image\" alt=\"\"   decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\"\/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGetty\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p>ATLANTA, GEORGIA &#8211; OCTOBER 23: Ian Anderson #36 of the Atlanta Braves walks to the dugout during the first inning of Game Six of the National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Truist Park on October 23, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Michael Zarrilli\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n<p>On Sunday, the <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" title=\"Atlanta Braves\" href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/sports\/mlb\/atlanta-braves\/\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"216131\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Atlanta Braves<\/a> lost to the <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" title=\"Arizona Diamondbacks\" href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/sports\/mlb\/arizona-diamondbacks\/\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"216135\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Arizona Diamondbacks<\/a> by a score of 6-5.<\/p>\n<p>The two teams split the four-game series (in Phoenix).<\/p>\n<p>Following the Diamondbacks, the Braves will now visit the <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" title=\"Los Angeles Angels\" href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/sports\/mlb\/los-angeles-angels\/\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"216130\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Los Angeles Angels<\/a> with the series starting on Monday night.<\/p>\n<p>Atlanta Braves World Series Champion Is A Free Agent<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5884493\" class=\"size-full wp-image-5884493\" data-lazy-load=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-1241065852.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"780\" height=\"520\"  \/><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-5884493\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">GettyIan Anderson #36 of the Atlanta Braves gets the ball back from his defense during the third inning against the <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" title=\"Colorado Rockies\" href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/sports\/mlb\/colorado-rockies\/\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"216132\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Colorado Rockies<\/a> at Coors Field on June 2, 2022 in Denver, Colorado.<\/p>\n<p>While the Braves are off and running in 2026, it\u2019s worth pointing out that a former player (<a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" title=\"Ian Anderson\" href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/mlb\/player\/ian-anderson\/\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"216136\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Ian Anderson<\/a>) is currently a free agent.<\/p>\n<p>He is available to sign with any team in the <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" title=\"MLB\" href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/sports\/mlb\/\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"216133\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">MLB<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>According to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.timesunion.com\/sports\/article\/mlb-atlanta-braves-pitcher-ian-anderson-21346145.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener external nofollow\">Mark Singelais of Times Union<\/a>, Anderson will miss the entire 2026 season with an injury.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/CrosbyBaseball\/status\/2021921297933250627\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener external nofollow\">@CrosbyBaseball\u2019s first post (on February 12):<\/a> \u201cNEWS: Former Braves pitcher Ian Anderson tore the labrum in his throwing shoulder. The injury happened on Christmas Eve and he had surgery on January 13th. He\u2019s currently a free agent.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/CrosbyBaseball\/status\/2021927318487515318\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener external nofollow\">@CrosbyBaseball\u2019s second post (on February 12):<\/a> \u201cHe\u2019s rehabbing now and scheduled to pick up a baseball in late summer or early fall, with the goal of being signed for the 2027 season. He is planning to come back to MLB\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Anderson\u2019s MLB Career<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5884494\" class=\"size-full wp-image-5884494\" data-lazy-load=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-1241511055.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"780\" height=\"520\"  \/><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-5884494\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">GettyIan Anderson #36 of the Atlanta Braves pitches during the first inning against the <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" title=\"Los Angeles Dodgers\" href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/sports\/mlb\/los-angeles-dodgers\/\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"216134\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Los Angeles Dodgers<\/a> at Truist Park on June 24, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia.<\/p>\n<p>Anderson was the third pick in the 2016 MLB Draft.<\/p>\n<p>He spent the first three years of his MLB career with the Braves.<\/p>\n<p>During the 2021 season, Anderson went 9-5 with a 3.58 ERA in 24 games.<\/p>\n<p>The Braves also won the World Series Championship over the <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" title=\"Houston Astros\" href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/sports\/mlb\/houston-astros\/\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"216138\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Houston Astros<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5884491\" class=\"size-full wp-image-5884491\" data-lazy-load=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-1240036195.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"780\" height=\"520\"  \/><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-5884491\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">GettyIan Anderson #36 of the Atlanta Braves pitches during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" title=\"San Diego Padres\" href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/sports\/mlb\/san-diego-padres\/\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"216137\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">San Diego Padres<\/a> on April 16, 2022 at Petco Park in San Diego, California.<\/p>\n<p>Anderson did not play for an MLB team in 2023 and 2024.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/JeffPassan\/status\/1645819221962547202\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener external nofollow\">ESPN\u2019s Jeff Passan wrote (on April 11, 2023):<\/a> \u201cAtlanta Braves right-hander Ian Anderson will undergo Tommy John surgery, sources tell me and @kileymcd. After a difficult 2022 season, Anderson started the year at AAA and struggled in his first start before being diagnosed with a torn UCL. He\u2019s expected to return in 2024.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Last season, he returned to action, going 0-1 with an 11.57 ERA in seven games for the Angels.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5884489\" class=\"size-full wp-image-5884489\" data-lazy-load=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-1348318870.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"780\" height=\"520\"  \/><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-5884489\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">GettyIan Anderson #36 of the Atlanta Braves walks to the dugout with <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" title=\"Travis d&#039;Arnaud\" href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/mlb\/player\/travis-darnaud\/\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"216139\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Travis d\u2019Arnaud<\/a> #16 prior to Game Six of the National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Truist Park on October 23, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia.<\/p>\n<p>Braves Right Now<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5884488\" class=\"size-full wp-image-5884488\" data-lazy-load=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-1348319414.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"780\" height=\"520\"  \/><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-5884488\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">GettyIan Anderson #36 of the Atlanta Braves throws a pitch during the first inning of Game Six of the National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Truist Park on October 23, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia.<\/p>\n<p>The Braves are coming off a season where they missed the MLB playoffs.<\/p>\n<p>That said, they still have an outstanding roster that could return to the postseason in 2026.<\/p>\n<p>Currently, the Braves are 6-4 in their first ten games, which has them as the second-place team in the National League East.<\/p>\n<p>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/author\/benstinarheavy\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Ben Stinar<\/a> Ben Stinar has been covering the NBA for over seven years.\u00a0&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<br \/>\nHe has written for OnSI, Forbes, Amico Hoops, The Big Lead and had a podcast with former All-Star Jameer Nelson. <a href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/author\/benstinarheavy\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">More about Ben Stinar<\/a>\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\n\t\t\tMore Sports\n\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\n\t\t\t\tLoading more stories\n\t\t<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Getty ATLANTA, GEORGIA &#8211; OCTOBER 23: Ian Anderson #36 of the Atlanta Braves walks to the dugout during&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":666090,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2404],"tags":[146,22,4314,5,38,4],"class_list":{"0":"post-666089","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-arizona-diamondbacks","8":"tag-arizona","9":"tag-arizona-diamondbacks","10":"tag-arizonadiamondbacks","11":"tag-baseball","12":"tag-diamondbacks","13":"tag-mlb"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@mlb\/116356765199513375","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/666089","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=666089"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/666089\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/666090"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=666089"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=666089"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=666089"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}