Atlanta traded Anderson to the Royals on Friday in exchange for cash, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Anderson was a non-tender candidate for Atlanta, so Kansas City took the opportunity to land the 33-year-old reliever. Anderson posted a 3.06 ERA and 1.10 WHIP with 36 strikeouts across 35.1 frames before a shoulder strain put an early end to his season. With the Royals, Anderson may be called upon often in high-leverage situations.

Anderson (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment Tuesday with Triple-A Gwinnett, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

EDGE Analysis

Anderson, who has been on the injured list since mid-July with a strained right shoulder, will likely make two or three appearances with Gwinnett before its season comes to an end Sunday. After that, Atlanta will have to decide whether or not to make room on the 28-man active roster for Anderson during the final week of the season, in what could serve as an audition for a spot on the big club's postseason roster. Anderson gathered four wins, one save and 15 holds while pitching to a 3.06 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 36:9 K:BB in 35.1 innings before landing on the shelf.

Atlanta placed Anderson on the 60-day injured list Thursday with a right shoulder strain.

EDGE Analysis

Anderson had been enjoying a solid 2023 campaign, posting a 3.06 ERA and 1.10 WHIP through 35.1 innings while collecting 15 holds during the first half of the season. While the right-hander will be forced to sit out through at least the first week of September, his absence will likely create more high-leverage opportunities for Joe Jimenez and Kirby Yates. Dalton Guthrie was claimed off waivers from San Francisco on Thursday to fill Anderson's spot on the 40-man roster.

Anderson retired the only batter he faced to record his 14th hold of the season in Monday's win over the Guardians.

EDGE Analysis

After A.J. Minter bailed out Bryce Elder in the seventh inning, Anderson returned the favor for Minter in the eighth, getting Myles Straw to ground out to Matt Olson with runners on first and second and two outs. Anderson is tied for 10th in the majors in holds, and he sits just two shy of the career-high 16 he notched between the Marlins and Rays in 2019.

Anderson (3-0) picked up the win Thursday over the Phillies, striking out two in a perfect eighth inning.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander fanned J.T. Realmuto and Alec Bohm before Atlanta broke open a 5-5 tie in the bottom of the eighth. Anderson has been able to stay healthy this season and has held down a high-leverage role, posting eight holds and a save over 21 appearances in addition to his three wins while sporting a 3.63 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 27:3 K:BB.

Anderson (2-0) walked one and struck out one in a scoreless eighth inning Thursday to pick up the win in a victory over the Rangers.

EDGE Analysis

The 32-year-old right-hander continues to look good in a comeback campaign. Anderson managed to work only 22.1 innings over the prior three seasons while dealing with multiple injuries, but so far in 2023 he's posted a 2.95 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 21:3 K:BB through 18.1 frames with a save and six holds. His velocity remains down over two mph from his 2019 big-league debut and he might never rack up an elite strikeout rate north of 40 percent again, but Anderson has still been very effective in a setup role ahead of Atlanta closer Raisel Iglesias.

Anderson picked up his first save of the season in Tuesday's 6-5 win over the Reds by retiring the side during a perfect ninth inning. He struck out one.

EDGE Analysis

Anderson came on in the ninth inning with a one-run lead and retired Tyler Stephenson, Wil Myers and Jason Vosler to earn his first save. Although the 32-year-old right-hander delivered an impressive performance, Atlanta is expected to rely on A.J. Minter to handle the bulk of the save opportunities while Raisel Iglesias recuperates from a shoulder injury.

Anderson was recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett by Atlanta on Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Anderson was sent down a week ago even after pitching terrifically during Grapefruit League play, but injuries to Raisel Iglesias (shoulder) and Kyle Wright (shoulder) means he'll make the Opening Day roster after all. He could wind up pitching important innings for Atlanta if he can stay healthy.

Anderson was informed Sunday he will be included on Atlanta's Opening Day roster, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran right-hander was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett last week, but he'll rejoin the big club ahead of Opening Day with Raisel Iglesias (shoulder) and Kyle Wright (shoulder) set to begin the season on the injured list. Anderson had seven saves and 22 holds with a 2.77 ERA and 136:21 K:BB over 81.1 innings during the 2019 and 2020 seasons, but he hasn't pitched in the big leagues since 2021 while recovering from elbow surgery and a foot injury. He has high-leverage pedigree but will likely need to work his way up to those opportunities.

Anderson could wind up being on the Opening Day roster with Raisel Iglesias (shoulder) set to begin the season on the injured list, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

He already got optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett on Monday, but Iglesias' injury changes the bullpen picture for Atlanta and opens up a spot. Anderson didn't pitch in the majors at all last year after undergoing elbow surgery in October 2021, but he has a career 39.6 percent strikeout rate in the majors over 87.1 innings and has posted an 11:1 K:BB over eight innings this spring. The 32-year-old could work his way into a high-leverage role once he shows he's all the way back, although A.J. Minter and Joe Jimenez are expected to handle the bulk of the closing duties in Iglesias' absence.