Yates (elbow) hopes for possible Oct. return

SAN DIEGO -- Padres closer Kirby Yates isn't ruling out an October return, should San Diego make a postseason run. But given the variables in play, Yates also wouldn’t commit to that as his target just yet.

Last week, the veteran right-hander underwent surgery to address bone chips in his ailing right elbow. The operation comes with an expected recovery period of six to eight weeks, putting a potential return for Yates in mid-October.

"Obviously, time is not on our side," Yates said, speaking publicly for the first time since his injury. "First step is, I've got to get back to playing catch. It's a matter of how soon I can get back to throwing.

"What kind of timeline that is after I'm able to do that? This isn't something I necessarily want to rush. At this point in my career, I've kind of got to be a little careful about this."

Yates -- who led the Majors with 41 saves in 2019 and was named as a first-team All-MLB closer -- is set to become a free agent after this season. It's quite possible he's thrown his final pitch for the Padres, the organization that took a gamble on him as a waiver claim and helped turn him into one of the best closers in the game.

"I don't want to go anywhere," Yates said. "If those things match up, great. If they don't, there are really no hard feelings. It's the way it is. That's the business of things. I've had a great four years here. They gave me a chance to revitalize my career, and I'm sitting here because of them."

In parts of four seasons with four different organizations, Yates posted a 5.27 ERA before he was cut by the Angels in April of 2017. He was at his Phoenix-area home two days later when Padres general manager A.J. Preller called.

Preller asked if Yates could make it to Chase Field. The Padres had claimed Yates off waivers and had a game against the D-backs that night. In the months that followed, Yates continued to overhaul his workouts and pregame prep. He honed a splitter which evolved into one of the nastiest pitches in the sport. In four seasons with the Padres, he posted a 2.55 ERA with 14 strikeouts per nine innings.

But Yates started the 2020 season slowly, allowing six runs over 4 1/3 innings. Back soreness and, ultimately, the bone chips in his elbow may have been a factor. Yates is joined by lefties Drew Pomeranz and José Castillo as prominent Padres relievers on the injured list this season.

“I was kind of banged up, honestly,” Yates said. “Realistically, this is the first real issue I’ve had with my elbow in 14 years since I had Tommy John surgery [in college]. So, I guess this was a pretty good run. But I feel really good. I’m very, very optimistic after having the surgery and the way I feel right now.”

Worth noting
? Padres manager Jayce Tingler indicated that Pomeranz, who went on the IL on Friday, is expected to be activated shortly after his 10-day stint is up. Tingler added that Pomeranz, who is recovering from a left shoulder strain, would first need to throw a bullpen session before he is cleared to return. The veteran left-hander played catch on Wednesday and reported no pain.

? Castillo is expected to throw his first bullpen session in the next day or two, as he recovers from a left lat strain. He’s yet to pitch this season and is still probably at least a couple weeks away from game action, as he’ll first need to build up at the team’s alternate training site.