Injury Update On Atlanta Braves All-Star Reliever

He completed his first batting practice session of spring training.

Atlanta Braves reliever Kirby Yates continues to work his way back from persistent elbow issues that have plagued him for the last three years. 

He underwent Tommy John surgery in March of 2021 and returned in August last season, staying healthy for about a month before going down with inflammation in his surgically repaired elbow.

Spencer Strider, Kirby Yates, and Max Fried bullpen work, #Braves pic.twitter.com/sCXwSVTYDv

— Grant McAuley (@grantmcauley) February 16, 2023

The good news is Yates has had plenty of time this offseason to overcome the issues and setbacks and he is reportedly healthy with no restrictions entering spring training.

The thirty-five-year-old is just four years removed from when he was the best reliever in all of baseball, recording a sparkling 1.19 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, with 101 strikeouts over 60.2 innings and a league-leading 41 saves. 

However, now that Yates is in his mid-thirties and has made just 15 relief appearances since that 2019 season with the San Diego Padres, the Braves are simply hoping he can serve as a capable setup man for closer Raisel Iglesias.

Over his eight-year career, Yates holds a 3.58 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, with 406 strikeouts across 289.1 innings of work.
Photo Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports