Atlanta Braves catcher Tyler Flowers takes steps forward to returning to the field

Flowers almost ready to return to Braves lineup

During the Atlanta Braves broadcast on Wednesday afternoon, FOX Sports South’s Kelsey Wingert gave an update on catcher Tyler Flowers.  The 32-year-old catcher has been out of the lineup since Opening Day on March 29th with an oblique injury.  From Wingert’s report, it looks as though he could be returning soon.

On Tuesday, Flowers took dry swings and told manager Brian Snitker that he felt really good afterwards.  The next step for the veteran catcher would be hitting off a tee.

Snitker went on to tell Wingert that he expects Flowers to be making a rehab start with Gwinnett possibly on Monday.

Great news for Flowers and the Braves.  He had a slow start to the 2018 season as he missed games during Spring Training because of a groin strain.  Then on his first at-bat on Opening Day of the regular season, he suffered that oblique injury.

In the 2018 Spring Training, Flowers played in only 10 games this Spring and had 21 at-bats.  He batted .095/.269/.095 with five walks and 10 strikeouts.

Oblique injuries seem to be more and more common these days.  According to a study by former Dodgers athletic trainer Stan Conte, players start off on the 10-day disabled list, but it usually takes around 27 days to recover.

When the injury happened, I expected Flowers to miss about a months worth of time.  It looks as though he may return prior to a month, but it could be right around it.

27 days from the injury would be April 25th against the Cincinnati Reds.  If I had to guess, and this is simply just my guess as of today, Flowers would spend a week in Gwinnett.  Since he missed time during Spring Training and got injured on Opening Day, I would think he needs some time to get his swing back and his legs underneath him again.  I could be wrong though.

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In Flowers absence, the Braves have used three catchers….Kurt Suzuki, Chris Stewart and Carlos Perez.  Suzuki missed some time after getting hit by a pitch on the wrist.  Stewart has since been DFA’d and is now playing with the Gwinnett Stripers.

When Flowers returns, it will be interesting to see what the Braves will do.  Will they keep Perez up with the team since he’s got that relationship with Mike Foltynewicz?  Folty has definitely pitched better with Perez behind the dish.

Perez is only 1-11 at the plate though with one walk and four strikeouts.  It seems as though Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos likes the 27-year-old catcher.  The other positive to keep Perez around would be that the Braves could pinch hit Flowers or Suzuki — whoever isn’t catching that night — since they’re probably the best bats off our bench.

We’ll see shortly, but it’s nice to see Flowers taking steps forward to returning to our lineup.