Braves call up top pitching prospect Anderson, activate Acuna

The Atlanta Braves promoted top pitching prospect Ian Anderson to the major-league roster and will start the right-hander against the New York Yankees on Tuesday, the team announced.

Anderson's first big-league appearance will be a memorable one, as he'll oppose Yankees ace Gerrit Cole.

The Braves also announced Tuesday the reinstatement of Ronald Acuna Jr. from the 10-day injured list. The star outfielder had been sidelined with left wrist inflammation.

Atlanta selected Anderson third overall in the 2016 MLB Draft. The 22-year-old pitched well for Double-A Mississippi last season, recording a 2.68 ERA with 147 strikeouts in 111 innings. But a five-start stint at Triple-A Gwinnett in 2019 didn't produce the same kind of results (6.57 ERA, 1.66 WHIP).

Ranked by MLB Pipeline as baseball's No. 42 overall prospect, Anderson has struck out more than 10 hitters per nine innings in the minors but has also battled control issues (4.0 BB/9).

The Braves optioned pitcher Touki Toussaint and catcher Alex Jackson to their alternate training site in order to make room on the active roster for Anderson and Acuna.

Atlanta also reinstated outfielder Nick Markakis from the COVID-19 IL and optioned outfielder Cristian Pache to the alternate site.