Infielder Brian Anderson turns down another opportunity for Braves: report

Utility infielder Brian Anderson will not return to Triple-A Gwinnett after all.

The AJC’s Justin Toscano reported Tuesday that Anderson has opted for free agency. The veteran’s decision came a day after the Atlanta Braves sent Anderson to Triple-A.

By cutting Anderson, the Braves removed him from the team’s 40-man roster.

With his decision, Anderson is a free agent for the second time in as many months.

The Braves signed Anderson as a free agent on June 4, three days after the Seattle Mariners released the veteran infielder. In five plate appearances for the Braves, Anderson struck out twice, turned a double play and did not reach base.

Anderson also went hitless in 12 plate appearances in Gwinnett during his time with the organization.

Before the Mariners released him, Anderson was batting .270/.358/.439 with six homers and 28 RBIs at Triple-A Tacoma this season. His only MLB at-bats this year came with the Braves.

Anderson will likely now look for a club that needs infield depth at the MLB level.

The 31-year-old made his debut with the Miami Marlins in the 2017 season. He finished fourth in National League Rookie of the Year voting in 2018.

His two best statistical seasons were 2018 and 2019. He had a higher batting average in 2018, but Anderson hit nine more home runs and had an OPS nearly 60 points higher in 2019. In that season, he hit .261/.342/.468 with 20 homers, 66 RBIs and 57 runs in 459 at-bats.

In 630 career MLB games, Anderson posted a .251 batting average with 66 home runs, 273 RBIs and 287 runs batted in.

The Braves have yet to establish a roster to match Anderson’s, leaving them with 39 players on their roster. But in all likelihood, the team will add a player to the 40-man roster before the start of the second half Friday night against the St. Louis Cardinals.