The broken bone in Tyler Flowers’ left hand is healing well and the Braves catcher thinks he’ll be ready to come off the disabled list in about two weeks.
“I’m hitting off the tee today,” Flowers said Sunday afternoon, before a session in the indoor batting cages at Turner Field. “I did dry swings a few days ago, last five swings at 100 percent. I didn’t have any pain, so that’s good. We’re definitely ahead of schedule, so we’ll see.”
When Flowers broke the bone during the weekend before the All-Star break, it was projected he’d be about four to six weeks. If he’s back in two that would be on the low side of the projection.
“If it’s up to me I’m playing tomorrow, but they won’t let that happen. I think realistically, if everything continues to go well, I think we’re probably two weeks, give or take. Hopefully less.”
Unlike center fielder Mallex Smith, who’s been sidelined since June 19 after a pitch broke his thumb, Flowers didn’t require a hard cast for his injury and hasn’t had atrophy in his arm because he’s been able to use the hand for normal activities — and lately, for much more.
“It’s in a good place right now,” he said. “I haven’t felt it in a few days doing anything. Even yesterday I did an upper body workout, and I was able to do it with dumbbells and normal weights than I’ve always done. I was a little cautious going into it, not knowing what 100-pound dumbells are going to feel like, but it was fine.”
Braves interim manager Brian Snitker said, “You can’t rush it, it’s a process. But everything sounds good. I don’t think it’ll take him long, being able to keep mobility, and everything is good.”
The lack of soreness, plus the guard he’s already had made to protect the bone – the same bone that he broke four years ago with the White Sox – has Flowers optimistic about returning to the active roster by mid-August.
“At least in my mind,” he said. “We’ll see. Obviously they (doctors) get paid to have a different perspective on things, and a more educated one than I do. But the way it feels is great. In all seriousness, I feel like I could play today. That probably wouldn’t be the smartest move, but that’s what they’re there for.
“Hopefully I can get them to speed it up a little bit. But with that said, we all look foolish if you get back out there and breaks right away or something. But the schedule right now, I think give or take (a few days), two weeks (is realistic).”
Smith also got a good report this week in his latest exam and X-ray, which Snitker said was better than one taken a couple of weeks ago. He said Smith has begun range-of-motio exercises.”
“The thing is healing pretty good,” Snitker said. “So that’s a good thing. Again, he’s been casted so it’ll be a little more (time).”
Snitker has said he doesn’t expect Smith to return to the active roster before September.
