Dodgers left-hander Brett Anderson has avoided injury woes

Brett Anderson

Oft-injured left-hander Brett Anderson has made it through the first month of the season in good health, but is eyeing to be more consistent and go deeper into games. (Getty Images)

It was a bold and ambitious move, part of a aggressive offseason for the Dodgers’ revamped front office.

The decision to sign oft-injured left-hander Brett Anderson to a one-year, $10 million contract despite a slew of injuries and ailments certainly was the kind of high-risk signing that could have a major payout or blow up in their faces.

The 26-year-old left-hander has been effective when healthy, but had not pitched more than 100 innings in the regular season since 2010.

Yet through the first month of the season, Anderson’s health has held up.

While Anderson is still searching for consistency, his injury-free April is noteworthy for an organization whose pitching depth has been tested in the first month.

Dare we say Anderson has been beacon of health?

“That’s the first time that’s ever been said, but I’ll take it,” Anderson said. “Obviously the results could be a little better and I’d like to pitch deeper into ballgames. But as far as being able to go out and pitch, I’ve been happy with that aspect.

“I feel good. I feel healthy. The velocity and everything else will hopefully come later as the season progresses.”

Anderson is scheduled to take the mound for the Dodgers in Sunday’s series finale against the Diamondbacks and starter Chase Anderson (no relation), and Brett Anderson is hoping for quality and length.

Anderson has pitched past the fifth inning just once. He is 1-1 with a 5.49 ERA, 11 strikeouts and four walks in 19.6 innings with a high 1.53 WHIP (walks plus hits divided by innings pitched).

But the one area that Anderson has been steady has been his health.

“He’s been that, that’s for sure,” Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said. “That’s encouraging probably for him and for us. It’s been a normal spring training, normal like any other pitcher. I know he’s had injuries in the past, but it’s been a really clean spring training.

“In the season, he’s been throwing regular ‘pens and doing regular work. He’s not been on the rehab table. It’s been good.”

Anderson has been plagued by injuries throughout his career, including a UCL tear and ensuing Tommy John surgery (a la Brandon McCarthy). He also has experienced a stress fracture in his foot and a broken finger after being hit by a pitch last season. In fact, his season ended laset season after undergoing surgery for a bulging disc in his back.

“I did a bunch of rehab stuff with my back,” Anderson said. “I did a lot of proactive stuff to keep everything healthy and a ton of Vitamin D to keep my bones from breaking hopefully.

“My training wasn’t focused to one part of my body. It was more total body and making sure everything was as healthy as I could possible be. And I feel good.”