Jays were aware of Yates' injury risk, GM says

Did the Toronto Blue Jays buy damaged goods when they went bargain shopping for reliever Kirby Yates?

A report by Ken Rosenthal in The Athletic suggests the Jays were aware of potential concerns with the high-end reliever, who is now likely out for the season and facing Tommy John surgery on his right elbow. The Yates injury is the most serious of five Jays currently sidelined by injury, including all-star acquisition George Springer, who has been diagnosed with a Grade 2 oblique strain.

As for Yates, The Athletic reports that twice during the off-season free agency period physical tests “raised red flags” for the veteran pitcher, who was one of the top relief pitchers in the game in 2019.

One team, the Atlanta Braves, was so concerned about the test results that the National League team backed out of a one-year, US$9-million contract for the closer.

Like most free agent deals — and especially those with an injury history — the agreement with the Braves was pending a physical and the Braves became wary after an MRI revealed issues in Yates' elbow.

The 33-year-old had his 2020 season halted when he had surgery to remove bone chips near his elbow.

Rosenthal reports that the Jays were aware that the Braves backed out of the deal with Yates but were still comfortable with the risk, though the deal was a reduction from their original offer.

Jays GM Ross Atkins on Tuesday said the team was comfortable with the risk associated with the signing and aware of the potential consequences.

According to the Athletic report, Toronto had agreed to a one-year, US$8.5-million deal with the closer, but amid those concerns related to the physical, they lowered their offer to a US$5.5 million guarantee plus lucrative performance incentives.

Atkins was asked if there was lingering damage or whether the likely season-ending blow was a fresh injury.

“We've dealt with the same doctor in the intake process and he's seeing that doctor now. So, our take is that he was healthy, he had no pain, no symptoms whatsoever,” he said.

“We knew it was very high risk with the potential of high reward ... it didn't work out for the Blue Jays this year.”