Last month left-hander Brett Anderson believed he had a chance to fit seamlessly with the Cubs because of manager Joe Maddon’s “be uncomfortable” slogan and that Anderson has endured an injury-riddled career.
After meshing with his teammates and pitching well enough to earn the fourth spot in the rotation, Anderson feels even more settled in.
“It’s been awesome so far,” Anderson said after throwing four innings of one-run ball. “My joke running a month into this is ‘I don’t hate anybody yet.’
“That’s a testament to the group as a whole and also maybe me evolving as a person. I’m cynical by nature. It a fun group to be a part of, young guys who are excited and happy to be here, and then the mix of veterans that have intentions of winning another World Series and getting to the postseason. It’s fun to be a part of. I can sit back and relax and observe.”
Anderson, 29, was particularly pleased that he induced seven of his 12 outs on grounders, and only a long third inning caused by a fielding error by shortstop Javier Baez prevented him from throwing more than 75 pitches in four innings.
“My body feels good,” said Anderson, who missed nearly all of last season with the Los Angeles Dodgers because of a lower back injury. “My arm feels good, and you’re getting into the dog days of spring training where you’re itching to get to the real thing. The outing in Houston (on Thursday) will get you closer to that adrenaline level and atmosphere and get ready for the regular season.”
Anderson will get a chance to pitch in from of some family members against the Astros, although he wasn’t sure if his father Frank would be able to attend.
Frank Anderson is the pitching coach at the University of Houston, which travels to Orlando to open a three-game series Friday against Central Florida.
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