Braves catcher Tyler Flowers returned to the lineup Monday after not playing in a major-league game since March 19.
The Braves were cautious with their catcher as he dealt with groin soreness in the past week of spring training. In his return, Flowers went 0-for-2 with a RBI and strikeout.
Flowers had 19 at-bats across nine games prior to Monday. He’d recently played in minor league games and took 15-to-20 swings on the backfields Sunday.
“It’s been feeling good,” Flowers said. “Yesterday (Sunday) before the game I did everything. I was able to do everything 100 percent.”
Flowers labeled it a “tweak” and said he received straight treatment for the first couple days before transitioning to exercise treatment and standard baseball activities.
Splitting time with fellow veteran Kurt Suzuki resulted in a career-best season for Flowers in 2017. He slashed .281/.378/.445 with a career-high .823 OPS. He had 12 homers and 49 RBIs in 99 games.
Spring training is a feeling-out process for Flowers, and for reasons beyond his understanding, he doesn’t really feel comfortable until the end.
“Every year I tend to wait, not by choice, but until the last week to feel good and execute a plan,” Flowers said. “So each year I start getting nervous toward the end. But I feel good.”
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