Chicago Cubs: Brett Anderson could be the determining factor in 2017

If veteran southpaw Brett Anderson can stay healthy, the Chicago Cubs’ starting rotation looks drastically different over the course of a 162-game season.

After missing much of the 2016 season, Brett Anderson brings a lot of question marks to the Chicago Cubs this season. He underwent a procedure to repair a bulging disc in his back last year. By all indications, should be ready for the workload of a starting pitcher this spring.

His former club, the Los Angeles Dodgers, ran into the buzzsaw in last year’s NLCS, falling to the Cubs in six games. En route to a World Series championship, Anderson drew fire for some comments he made on Twitter during the postseason.

"Chicago Cubs Cubbies Crib 0d - Cubs are giving pitcher Javier Assad a deserved shot More headlines around FanSided: 1d - Cubs: It's time to start thinking about potential September call-ups 1d - Cubs: P.J. Higgins deserves to be in the lineup on a daily basis 1d - Cubs might start to limit Justin Steele's workload soon 2d - Justin Steele turning into an ace before Chicago Cubs eyes 2d - MLB power rankings: Dodgers, Mets, Braves, Astros, and then... More News at Cubbies Crib “Real classy Cubs fans throwing beer in the Dodgers family section. Stay classy f—— idiots.”"

Recently, Anderson clarified his comments, while still standing by what he said.

"“I obviously wasn’t in the stands,” he told CSN Chicago. “Supposedly from what I was told – it could be a different story – but there was just some beers thrown on where the families were. I’m going to stick to my family and my side.”"

Anderson signed a one-year, $3.5 million deal this offseason to come to Chicago. The fun-loving nature of Joe Maddon and the team’s talent drew him to the Windy City.

A season lost to injury

The lefty made just four appearances last season before being shut down. Those four outings, which consisted of a trio of starts, left plenty to be desired. Because of injury, he posted an 11.91 earned run average.While serving up 25 hits and 15 runs in just 11 1/3 innings of work.

Just one year prior, Anderson was a bright spot in the Los Angeles rotation, making 31 starts en route to a 3.69 ERA over a career-high 180 1/3 innings.

Battling for the fifth spot in the Chicago rotation, those numbers bode well for Anderson. He’s battling against another southpaw in Mike Montgomery.

Regardless of his role, Anderson says he’s excited about the opportunities that lie ahead with Chicago.

"“Just visiting Wrigley, it’s a fun crowd, because it’s such an intimate setting and you feel like they’re right on top of you and it’s so loud.”"

After throwing a bullpen session, Anderson hasn’t experienced any setbacks this spring.

Health, as Anderson knows, will make or break his first season with the Cubs.

"“It’s frustrating, he said. “When I’m healthy and able to go out there and do my work, I feel like I’m a pretty good pitcher. I don’t think I’ve ever been able to put everything as a whole together in one season.”"

Next: Maddon, Montero clear the air

The numbers tell that story well. Anderson eclipsed 150 innings pitched just twice in eight big league seasons. Furthermore, he failed to even hit 100 in all but three years.

He will make his Chicago Cubs debut Monday in Cactus League action.