Mark Bowman of MLB.com is reporting that the Braves may not have to wait too much longer on the return of their top catcher from an oblique injury.
Flowers (left oblique) feels good. He completed some catching drills today and might be cleared to start hitting on the field this week. There’s a chance he could return during the next road trip.
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) April 16, 2018
Tyler Flowers was sidelined with injury in the first game of the season thanks to an oblique injury. Flowers had his best Major League season to date last season when he produced 12 home runs, a .378 on base percentage all culminating in 2.5 WAR over 99 games. Flowers has also become one of the best defenders behind the plate over the last three seasons most notably for his great framing ability.
The Braves have been riding Kurt Suzuki heavily since his own return from a hand injury after being hit by a pitch earlier this season. The addition of Flowers will surely take some of the stress off of Suzuki being the everyday catcher and his productivity may increase as a result. Atlanta also carried three catchers earlier this season so it is unknown whether they would stick with three after Flowers returns or go back to just Flowers and Suzuki.
Stay tuned for updates on the Braves roster status and the rehab status of Flowers.