Braves sign veteran infielder/outfielder

The Atlanta Braves signed Brian Anderson, a veteran third baseman and right fielder, on Tuesday.

Left-hander Tyler Matzek was placed on the 60-day injured list to create way for Anderson on the 40-man roster. Matzek has been sidelined since early May with left elbow tendinitis.

After optioning catcher Chadwick Tromp to Triple-A Gwinnett on Monday, the Braves had an open slot on the active roster. Anderson, 31, played 42 games for the Seattle Mariners’ Triple-A affiliate in Tacoma this year before opting out of his minor league contract and becoming a free agent on Saturday. He batted.270, with six home runs and 28 RBI. From 2017 to 22, he appeared in 531 games for the Miami Marlins, batting.256 with 57 home runs and 233 RBIs. Anderson played 96 games for the Milwaukee Brewers last season, batting.226 with nine home runs and 40 RBIs.

Anderson has spent the most of his major league career at third base (402 games) or right field (221), with a few games at designated hitter, left field, second base, first base, and shortstop. Braves manager Brian Snitker stated that Anderson will add depth to the roster. “Experience at third and first,” Snitker explained. “And I believe you’re constantly searching for ways to strengthen your organization. We’d seen him from across the way for a long time, and he’s an excellent player. And I think the possibility to acquire someone like that is positive.”