Atlanta Braves sign Brian Anderson to Major League deal, move Tyler Matzek to 60-day injured list

The Atlanta Braves announced some roster changes Tuesday before facing the Boston Red Sox tonight.

The news that the team signed veteran infielder Brian Anderson is a bit interesting. For one, he will join the major league team immediately and will be available tonight in Boston. And while it may seem like a move to fill the very rarely used “26th man bench spot,” Anderson has a bit more intrigue with the bat than most players who have occupied that spot in the past .

To be fair, Anderson hasn’t offered much production at the plate over the past three years, producing just a .680 OPS over 1,008 plate appearances with the Marlins and Brewers. But if the Braves can help Anderson get some value back in his bat like they have for other veterans in the past, his ability to play multiple positions in the field and outfield could make him a piece of valuable bench in time. At the very least, he’s an option that can be used in case of injury or perhaps in a pinch role.

To make room for Anderson, the Braves moved reliever Tyler Matzek to the 60-day injured list. Matzek was placed on injured reserve on May 14 with left shoulder inflammation. While there has been no more specific news, the fact that he has moved to the 60-day sentence is certainly a disappointing development. At the very least, it appears he will need an extended period of time to return to full health.