Kirby Yates injury will test Blue Jays’ bullpen depth early

TORONTO – The Toronto Blue Jays will open the season without their most accomplished reliever now that right-hander Kirby Yates has been sidelined with a flexor-pronator strain in his right arm. The injury, which was announced by the team Monday, will cost Yates multiple weeks and test the Blue Jays’ already-depleted pitching depth even further.

While the Blue Jays are still gathering information, the best-case scenario involves getting through leverage innings with the likes of Jordan Romano, Rafael Dolis, David Phelps, Ryan Borucki and perhaps Tyler Chatwood.

Considering Yates appeared in just six games last year before having bone chips removed from his pitching elbow, there’s a chance the Blue Jays have to do without the 33-year-old for much longer than three weeks.

Less than two weeks ago, Yates said he was fully ready to pitch in games. Two appearances later, his early-season outlook has changed considerably.

“Oh yeah, it’s full-go,” Yates told media on March 10. “It’s go out there, get ready, get these guys out and prove that I’m still capable of pitching at a high level.”

Yates made his spring debut on March 11, pitching one scoreless inning against the Detroit Tigers and topping out at 93.8 m.p.h. on the radar gun. Nine days later, on Saturday, he pitched against the Philadelphia Phillies, striking out two in a scoreless inning of work during which he topped out at 93.

At the Letters

Ben Nicholson-Smith is Sportsnet’s baseball editor. Arden Zwelling is a senior writer. Together, they bring you the most in-depth Blue Jays podcast in the league, covering off all the latest news with opinion and analysis, as well as interviews with other insiders and team members.

Listen and Subscribe for free

| Ben on Twitter

| Arden on Twitter

When healthy, Yates has been among the game’s best relievers. As a member of the 2019 Padres, he posted a 1.19 ERA with a league-leading 41 saves on his way to an all-star selection and Cy Young votes. In 60.2 innings that year, he walked only 13 while striking out 101.

Last year the Blue Jays opened the season with Ken Giles as closer, but an elbow injury sidelined him for most of the season before he underwent Tommy John surgery. They signed Yates to a one-year $5.5 million deal over the winter in the hopes that he could pitch high-leverage innings in 2021.

Starters Nate Pearson (right groin) and Thomas Hatch (right elbow) have also dealt with injuries this spring.