Braves News: Ian Anderson’s rehab, Spencer Schwellenbach stars, more

The major league club looked pretty good Saturday, with a great start from their rookie pitcher and some power showing up from the offense. Spencer Schwellenbach had his best major league start and he is really looking promising this season. His xFIP is currently at 3.60 and his FIP is at 3.56 on the season, which are both really solid numbers. His ERA is a bit inflated at the moment, but those peripheral are quite encouraging. He also has a solid strikeout rate, is doing well to limit walks, and is doing well to induce chases and whiffs, while avoiding barrels. He has really taken hold of the fifth starter spot when the Braves really needed it and there could quite plausibly be more upside for him. He’s still a very inexperienced pitcher, playing primarily shortstop in college and immediately getting Tommy John after being drafted. He could be one of the more fascinating players to watch develop at the major league level and is already becoming a valuable contributer for Atlanta.

Braves News

Ian Anderson continues to rehab and he dominated in low-A Saturday over 3.1 innings. It’s only low-A, so he should be dominating, but he is definitely worth tracking as he ramps up.

Spencer Schwellenbach put up his best major league outing yet over 6.0 innings, while the offense showed up with some power on the way to a fairly easy 5-1 win.

MLB News

Julio Rodriguez was scratched from Saturday’s game with a quad injury and will undergo an MRI to determine the severity.

The Nationals DFA’d Nick Senzel, shortly after releasing another veteran offseason addition in Eddie Rosario.

The Giants reinstated the talented young starting pitcher Kyle Harrison off the 15-day IL, as he has recovered from his sprained ankle.

Yu Darvish is going on the restricted list as he deals with a personal family matter, with no specific return timeline.