When Mike Yastrzemski went on the injured list right before the All-Star break with elbow inflammation, there was certainly concern that the Atlanta Braves outfielder would be out for a while. Instead, he returned just 10 days later, missing just six games.
However, since returning, the Braves have been cautious with his usage, from him getting his first starts of the year at DH, to him being subbed out as a defensive replacement despite being decent defensively this season. With the way he's been managed, it's clear his elbow is still an issue.
Braves are playing it safe with Mike Yastrzemski, but it is clear that there is still a problem
Before Mike Yastrzemski went on the IL, getting subbed out of a game wasn't a rare occurrence, but it was always because for platoon purposes. If an opposing team brought in a lefty late in the game, Walt Weiss 'was quick to swap Yastrzemski out for a righty.
Since returning from the IL, the Braves have managed the 35-year-old a little differently. After not starting a single game at DH prior to going on the IL, Yastrzemski started two consecutive games at DH after being reinstate.
Additionally, in his five starts, he has not completed an entire game once. The Braves did make platoon related substitutions when Yastrzemski started at DH, but brought in Eli White for defensive purposes in two of the other three starts.
Yastrzemski also pinch hit for White in a game he didn't start, but instead of staying in the game, the Braves opted to use Brewer Hicken in the outfield instead. With these managerial decisions, it's safe to assume the Braves are playing it safe with Yastrzemski's arm.
Yastrzemski's injury situation is now further complicated with Ronald Acuña Jr. back from the injured list as well. With Acuña presumably taking over right field full-time again, Yastrzemski, White and Dubón would be primed to share the left field duties, however if the Braves aren't comfortable with Yastrzemski playing outfield for long, his role on the team could be further diminished.
The Braves could use Yastrzemski as a designated hitter, which would push the defensively inflexible Dominic Smith to the bench and further limit defensive changes for the Braves later in game. If the Braves used Acuña or Baldwin as the DH, Yastrzemski's role on the team on that particular day would be even more limited if they aren't keen on using him in the field.
The Braves have not said anything publicly about Yastrzemski's limitations, so this could be a temporary thing going forward, but if the Braves continue to be overly cautious with the lefty's time in the outfield after the trade deadline, it should raise questions about how healthy he truly is.
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