4 years agoToronto Blue Jays closer Kirby Yates is likely headed for Tommy John surgery. Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins told reporters on Tuesday that Yates was "most likely" headed for Tommy John surgery and that the team knew it was a "high-risk, high-reward play" when they inked the right-hander to a one-year, $5.5 million deal this offseason. Yates was all geared up to be the team's closer before straining his flexor-pronator in his throwing arm over the weekend. He was expected to be out at least a month but it now appears that he's going to miss the entire 2021 season. It's a tough blow for both the Blue Jays and Yates, who only pitched 4 1/3 innings in 2020 with the Padres before undergoing surgery to remove bone chips from his elbow. Toronto will most likely to turn to Jordan Romano to close out their games now. The 27-year-old Romano was arguably their best reliever in 2020 when he put up a 1.23 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, and 21:5 K/BB ratio with a pair of saves and five holds over 14 2/3 innings. His ADP will begin to move up significantly in the wake of the Yates' news. Rafael Dolis is another arm who could see some high-leverage work as well but Romano is the name to target.--Jon Mathisen - RotoBaller
Source: Shi Davidi of Sportsnet