LOS ANGELES — The Angels acquired pitcher Ian Anderson from the Atlanta Braves Sunday in exchange for left-handed pitcher Jose Suarez. Anderson, 26, underwent Tommy John surgery in 2023 and has not appeared in a major league game since 2022. He was competing for a spot in the Braves’ starting ro tation and pitched three innings Sunday in a spring training game against the Baltimore Orioles. Angels manager Ron Washington said that Anderson will start the season in the bullpen, but could be called upon to start if the situation arises. “Before he got hurt, he was an up and coming pretty good pitcher. I don’t think he lost the ability to pitch. We were left-handed heavy in our bullpen and this gives us another opportunity to get another right-hander in there,” Washington said. “Right now it’s the bullpen and I think as we go through the season, that will play out the way it’s supposed to play out.” Anderson debuted with the Braves as a 22-year-old during the pandemic-shortened season in 2020. He was excellent in his first two seasons with a 3.25 ERA in 30 starts with 165 strikeouts in 160⅔ innings. Anderson made 15 minor league starts in 2024 and had a 3.44 ERA with 68 strikeouts in 68 innings. Suarez, 27, debuted with the Angels in 2019 and appeared in 99 games with 61 starts. He appeared in 22 games in 2024 with a 6.02 ERA and started the last two games. Suarez had a 6.55 ERA in 11 innings with the Angels during spring training and allowed one run in 1⅓ innings Friday against the Rockies. He lost 20 pounds this offseason and had a rejuvenated mindset after being designated for assignment midway through the 2024 season. Suarez was competing for a spot in an Angels bullpen that was left-handed heavy with Jose Quijada, Brock Burke, newly acquired Angel Perdomo, Rule 5 pick Garrett McDaniels and potentially Reid Detmers. “The Braves are getting a bulldog. We are going to miss Suarez,” Washington said. “I’m not taking anything from Suarez saying, ‘he was no good for us, that’s why we traded him.’ We do what we do to make us better and he just happened to be the guy we made the trade for. Atlanta probably needed him and we felt we needed Ian Anderson.” NETO RAMPING UP Shortstop Zach Neto stayed back in Tempe for extended spring training to continue his rehab from shoulder surgery this offseason. He has made significant progress and has been hitting and throwing everyday as of late. “He’s not ready to come up and play for us yet but if you were with Neto from day one in spring training, you would think he is (ready) the way he went about his business,” Washington said. “He has to get stronger and stronger. He’s able to throw with no problem, but he’s not ready to go at game action. We are just going to keep the progress going and we have no date for when he’s going to arrive.” Washington said Neto will appear in minor league games prior to rejoining the Angels. MONCADA STILL NOT READY Third baseman Yoan Moncada has been out with a bruised right thumb since March 12 and is still not hitting or throwing. Moncada was in uniform during batting practice Sunday with a brace on his right thumb. Washington is still hopeful that Moncada will be able to play on Opening Day Thursday. “He’s feeling better everyday. He feels like he’s going to be ready for opening day but we have to go through our medical people for that,” Washington said. “Our fingers are crossed that he makes it opening day, but I can’t give an answer whether he will or he won’t.” Moncada appeared in just 12 games last season for the Chicago White Sox after suffering an adductor strain in April. Washington said that Luis Rengifo will play third base on opening day if Moncada is not available. UP NEXT Dodgers (RHP Tyler Glasnow, 9-6, 3.49 ERA in 2024) at Angels (TBD), Monday, 6:07 p.m., FanDuel Sports Network, 830 AM Related Articles Los Angeles Angels | Answering the key questions of Angels spring training Los Angeles Angels | Angels tie Rangers, lose to Rockies to finish Cactus League schedule Los Angeles Angels | Angels hoping new technology this spring will pay dividends during the season Los Angeles Angels | Angels held to 5 hits in Cactus League loss to White Sox Los Angeles Angels | Angels starter Kyle Hendricks: ‘I’m right where I need to be’ ...read more read less