Tigers land outfielder Josh Anderson from Braves

The Tigers filled the outfield vacancy on their bench today by acquiring Josh Anderson from the Atlanta Braves in return for minor league pitcher Rudy Darrow.

As explained by general manager Dave Dombrowski, Anderson has a collection of skills none of the Tigers’ other candidates for the outfield vacancy do: he is a left-handed hitter who can play center and has a lot of speed. “He is a legitimate burner,” Dombrowski said.

Last season, Anderson stole 42 bases in the minors and 10 more in the majors with Atlanta.

Dombrowski said Anderson would be on the Tigers’ 25-man Opening Day club.

Anderson has played 61 games in the majors and hit .315 with three homers. In six seasons in the minors, he stole 280 bases.

Anderson, 26, apparently beats out Ryan Raburn and Brent Clevlen for the open outfield spot. The Tigers’ other three reserve players, for now, are catcher Matt Treanor, infielder Ramon Santiago and outfielder-DH Marcus Thames.

Thanks to Burns,