Brett Anderson feels healthy enough to win fifth spot in Cubs rotation

The perspiration poured through left-hander Brett Anderson's thick beard on a sunny but cool Monday morning after an injury-free bullpen session."I could sweat in a snowstorm," said Anderson, who makes no secret of his sarcasm and knack for social...

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21 February 2017 Tuesday 01:56

Brett Anderson feels healthy enough to win fifth spot in Cubs rotation

The perspiration poured through left-hander Brett Anderson's thick beard on a sunny but cool Monday morning after an injury-free bullpen session.

"I could sweat in a snowstorm," said Anderson, who makes no secret of his sarcasm and knack for social media quips.

A bigger accomplishment for Anderson would be to achieve a healthy season that would allow him to attain as much as $6.5 million in bonuses based on starts.

That would give the 6-foot-4 Anderson, 29, a greater hope to extend his career — possibly with the Cubs, who have starters Jake Arrieta and John Lackey scheduled for free agency after this season.

"He knows he's a great fit for our club because he's a ground ball pitcher," general manager Jed Hoyer said of Anderson, who will receive a base pay of $3.5 million. "But that's if he's healthy."

Anderson has made at least 30 starts twice in eight major-league seasons, but only once since his rookie year of 2009 because of Tommy John surgery, a right-foot stress fracture, a broken left index finger (twice), lower-back surgery, and a bulging disc in his lower back that limited him to four games last season with the Dodgers.

Anderson, whose father is University of Houston pitching coach Frank Anderson, grew up around the game. He said his determination to overcome so many injuries comes from his love of the sport.

Photos as the Cubs practice at spring training in Mesa, Ariz.

"I'm a baseball guy," Anderson said. "I've been going to the field since I could walk and talk and annoy college kids. I can take it two ways. I can get burnt out quickly and shy away from baseball, or I can eat it up. Fortunately for me, I've eaten it up all the way through.

"I haven't lived up to my own expectations. If I can do it that, then it's going to be beneficial for everybody."

Anderson has more experience than fellow fifth starter contender Mike Montgomery (6852/3 major-league innings to 190) and could be an ideal fit at Wrigley Field because of his 58.2 percent ground-ball rate and 0.83 home runs allowed per nine innings.

"I like my chances when I'm healthy, and I'm healthy right now," said Anderson, who vows not to get complacent during his latest recovery.

To prove that point, the 230-pound Anderson said he performs up to an hour of core exercises daily.

"I don't have any abs you can see, but if I take off a layer, I'm pretty sure they're under there, " Anderson said. "(But) if I have another back (injury), it's potentially career-ending."

Anderson said he learned from Clayton Kershaw during his two seasons with the Dodgers despite being six weeks older than the three-time Cy Young winner. He said he plans to pick the brain of Jon Lester.

"I'm more like Lester except on social media," Anderson said. "I'm sarcastic. I sit and observe. I'm not a huge talker in person, but I can show my personality and candor on some things."

During the World Series, Anderson opined that Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks "looks like he'd celebrate a World Series win with a glass of 2 percent milk, Oreos, and a book." The tweet garnered 863 retweets and 1,872 likes.

"That's kind of the guy he is," Anderson explained. "The calmness he shows is something we can all try to strive for."

mgonzales@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @MDGonzales

Caption Scenes from Monday's Cubs spring training workout

Scenes from the Cubs' spring training workout in Mesa, Ariz., on Feb. 20, 2017. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Caption Scenes from Monday's Cubs spring training workout

Scenes from the Cubs' spring training workout in Mesa, Ariz., on Feb. 20, 2017. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Caption Tim Buss, dressed for the occasion, leads Cubs' warmups

Cubs strength and conditioning coordinator Tim Buss leads warmups in a top hat and sports coat on Monday, Feb. 20, 2017. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)

Caption Joe Maddon on Tim Buss, nuns and getting to know Eloy Jimenez

Cubs manager Joe Maddon reacts to strength and conditioning coordinator Tim Buss' attire during Monday's warmups and discusses having nuns at spring training and getting to know top prospect Eloy Jimenez on Monday, Feb. 20, 2017. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)

Caption Cubs' Jason Heyward takes batting practice

Cubs right fielder Jason Heyward takes batting practice on Monday, Feb. 20, 2017, in Mesa, Ariz. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)

Caption Ben Zobrist on Cubs' first day of live batting practice

Ben Zobrist reacts after the Cubs' first day of live batting practice on Monday, Feb. 20, 2017. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)

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