Indians: Cody Anderson’s incomplete tenure in Cleveland

The Cleveland Indians recently cut ties with Cody Anderson after a long tenure defined by an injury that ultimately derailed his path.

The main roster news regarding the Cleveland Indians this week was the decision to let Danny Salazar hit free agency. Yet the news also shared that Cody Anderson, Tyler Olson, and A.J. Cole were joining Salazar in the search for a new job.

Anderson is an interesting player. Like Salazar, not being on the field ultimately prevented a future with the team.

The Indians drafted Anderson back in 2011 and he made his debut as a starter back in 2015. He went 7-3 with a 3.05 ERA and looked like he could be a helpful piece moving forward. Then the Indians went off in 2016 and Anderson was left behind, posting a 6.68 ERA in 19 total appearances.

That season was followed by a UCL injury in 2017 that kept Anderson out for both the 2017 and the 2018 seasons. He did make a return in 2019 but nine earned runs in 8.2 innings did not convince the team to tender him a deal this offseason.

Even if he remained healthy Anderson may have been bumped from the rotation just because of all the talent. He could have earned a bullpen role, though, and still may elsewhere in the league. Or the Indians could bring him back on a minor league deal to keep him in the system just in case.

Players get lost in the shuffle all the time and those that undergo Tommy John surgery face a grueling process to get back to full strength. Teams stick by them for so long but a point comes when it is just time to move on.

The only positive from the process is that Anderson saved two years of wear and tear on his arm. Unfortunately, too many pitchers have to get Tommy John. But if the surgery works properly players can extend their careers while hopefully still collecting money during the rehab process.

Anderson should find a job somewhere and I know I will be rooting for him.