Justin

Anderson

And he just might be the favorite to open the season as the White Sox’s closer. Really, the White Sox probably should have moved on from Anderson over the winter, as there have been better relief bets on waivers. The White Sox actually got rid of those guys when they waived Ron Marinaccio, and he was claimed by the Padres.

There is a world where Anderson becomes a key late-inning reliever for the White Sox after he posted a 4.39 ERA with 57 strikeouts in 53 1/3 innings in 2024. He should remain off fantasy radars regardless of his role in Chicago but you know better than to chase White Sox saves in 2025.

Anderson got the call back to the majors ahead of Friday’s contest against the Orioles. The 31-year-old righty has pitched well in four relief appearances this season for Chicago. He’ll operate in middle relief moving forward.

Anderson will be available for both games of the doubleheader against the Nats. If the White Sox want to keep the 31-year-old beyond that game, they’ll need to make another roster move.

Anderson, 31, is sent back to Triple-A to make room for Nick Nastrini on the roster. Anderson will likely be back with Chicago several times this year as a middle-innings option, but there’s very little fantasy potential in that role.

The 31-year-old right-hander hasn’t pitched in the big leagues since the 2019 season, so this is a return that has been a long time in the making. He had been brilliant in five outings at Triple-A Charlotte, hurling 4 2/3 innings of shutout baseball with a 0.64 WHIP and a 5/0 K/BB ratio. Bryan Shaw was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.

Anderson showed some promise out of the Angels pen in 2018 and ’19, but Tommy John followed and he’s struggled to return to form since. Last year, he had a 6.87 ERA in 36 2/3 innings in the Royals system, though he did manage 59 strikeouts. Unfortunately, they came with 20 walks and 13 wild pitches.

Anderson hasn’t appeared in the majors since making 111 relief appearances for the Angels over a two-year span between 2018 and 2019. The 30-year-old righty reliever, who underwent Tommy John surgery prior to the 2020 campaign, made just three appearances last year in the Rangers’ minor league system. He’s a lottery ticket for Kansas City.

Anderson underwent Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgery in late July, so this deal is more about 2022 than 2021. The 28-year-old right-hander registered a 4.75 ERA, 1.52 WHIP, and 127/72 K/BB ratio in 102 1/3 innings of relief for the Angels between the 2018-2019 seasons. He was non-tendered early last month.

Anderson underwent Tommy John surgery in July, so this is no surprise at all. He could still have some value out of the pen for the long haul, but he won’t be much of a factor next season.