The Braves catching duo of Tyler Flowers and Kurt Suzuki was among the most productive in the major leagues last season much to the surprise of pretty much anyone. While many of us expected some regression (and with good reason), Flowers and Suzuki were still expected to be a net positive on the team especially when you factor in Flowers’ excellence at framing pitches for what is a relatively young rotation.
Unfortunately, the first weeks of the season did not go according to plan as Flowers injured his oblique in his first at-bat of the season and has been out ever since. Combine that with Kurt Suzuki’s injury scare on a HBP and the catching position has been a bit of an adventure through the beginning part of the season so far.
Fortunately, it looks like we will be returning to normalcy soon.
Snit said Tyler Flowers set to begin rehab start this weekend
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienAJC) April 19, 2018
It may take Flowers a bit to get back up to speed, but his presence on the roster will be welcome on a number of levels, especially if he can produce at the plate similarly to the way he did last year.
In 2017, Flowers slashed .281/.378/.445 and posted 2.5 fWAR in 99 games for the Braves.