Kirby Yates

Fantasy News

• Angels' Kirby Yates: Playing catch

  Rotowire Mar 29, 2026

  Yates has been playing catch and his injured left knee is improving, per MLB.com. Yates landed on the IL on March 24 due to left knee inflammation. The Angels are planning to take a cautious approach with his return, so the fact that he's been able to do some throwing -- even just playing catch -- is a positive sign. Yates' next step will likely be a bullpen session. Jordan Romano is the lead candidate for saves for the time being, and whether Yates enters the ninth-inning mix upon his return could depend on the performance of the former Blue Jays closer.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Angels' Kirby Yates: Lands on injured list

  Rotowire Mar 24, 2026

  The Angels placed Yates on the 15-day injured list Tuesday due to left knee inflammation. With Yates on the IL until at least April 6, the Angels are looking at a potential closing tandem of righty Jordan Romano and lefty Drew Pomeranz. Romano has put together a much better spring with a 1.50 ERA compared to Pomeranz's 9.64 mark. Even once he's back to full health, Yates won't be guaranteed the closer's role, though he should at least be a factor in the late innings for the Angels.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Angels' Kirby Yates: Early favorite for saves

  Rotowire Mar 14, 2026

  Ben Joyce (shoulder) is expected to begin the season on the injured list and Robert Stephenson (shoulder) recently suffered a setback, Jeff Fletcher of the Orange-County Register reports, which positions Yates to potentially begin the season as the favorite for saves in Anaheim. Yates signed with the Halos on a one-year contract in December, with GM Perry Minasian indicating when the deal was announced that the veteran will need to earn closing opportunities. The 38-year-old has given up one earned run with three strikeouts and a walk over three innings during spring training, but he struggled to a 5.23 ERA and 1.33 WHIP in 50 appearances for the Dodgers last year. The Angels also added Drew Pomeranz and Jordan Romano to the bullpen mix this winter, but Yates should be at the head of the pack, at least until Joyce and/or Stephenson are available.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Angels' Kirby Yates: Must earn closer opportunities

  Rotowire Jan 7, 2026

  Angels general manager Perry Minasian said Wednesday during a conference call announcing the signing of Yates that the reliever will have to earn closing opportunities, Taylor Blake Ward of The Sporting Tribune reports. Minasian did point out multiple times that Yates' closer experience as well as a past relationship with pitching coach Mike Maddux were important factors in the Angels giving the veteran hurler a one-year, $5 million contract. The Angels also added former closer Jordan Romano this offseason and have Ben Joyce (shoulder) and Robert Stephenson (elbow) coming back from injury. All four relievers are candidates for saves, and Minasian noted that the decision as to who will close games will be up to manager Kurt Suzuki.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Angels' Kirby Yates: Inks one-year deal with Angels

  Rotowire Dec 30, 2025

  The Angels signed Yates to a one-year contract Tuesday, Ari Alexander of 7 News Boston reports. Yates made 50 regular-season appearances for the Dodgers in 2025, posting an ugly 5.23 ERA but also a more promising 52:17 K:BB over 41.1 innings. He will turn 39 in March, but Yates still has plenty of bat-missing ability and could be in the mix to close games as part of an unsettled Angels bullpen.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Dodgers' Kirby Yates: Placed on IL

  Rotowire Sep 24, 2025

  The Dodgers placed Yates on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with a hamstring injury, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports. Yates hasn't pitched since Saturday due to his hamstring, and his trip to the injured list will keep him sidelined through the NL Wild Card Series, as well as the first few games of the NLDS if Los Angeles advances. The 38-year-old will finish the regular season with a 5.23 ERA through 41.1 innings -- his worst mark while pitching at least 40 frames since 2016. Roki Sasaki (shoulder) was activated off the 60-day injured list in a corresponding move.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Dodgers' Kirby Yates: Set to be activated Saturday

  Rotowire Aug 21, 2025

  Yates (back) is expected to be activated from the injured list Saturday, Kirsten Watson of Spectrum SportsNet LA reports. Yates has been sidelined since late July and is currently on a rehab assignment. He managed one scoreless inning with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Tuesday and will likely make at least one more appearance prior to being activated. Tanner Scott (elbow) is expected to be activated Friday, so Yates isn't likely to be a prolific source of saves.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Dodgers' Kirby Yates: Likely back this weekend

  Rotowire Aug 20, 2025

  Yates (back) is expected to be activated from the 15-day injured list ahead of the Dodgers' upcoming weekend series against the Padres, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports. Both Yates and Tanner Scott (elbow) began a rehab assignment this week and each got an inning of work Tuesday with Triple-A Oklahoma City. Manager Dave Roberts said both will "probably not" pitch again in the minors prior to rejoining the Dodgers' 26-man roster for this weekend's critical series. Yates hasn't pitched since July 26 and holds a 4.31 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 44:12 K:BB across 31.1 innings out of the bullpen this season.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Dodgers' Kirby Yates: Ready for rehab assignment

  Rotowire Aug 18, 2025

  Yates (back) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Oklahoma City on Tuesday, MLB.com reports. Yates incurred no problems with his back while facing live batters Saturday, so he'll advance to the final phase of his recovery program by embarking on a rehab assignment. The right-hander has been on the shelf since Aug. 1 due to lower back pain but may require just a couple of appearances in the minors before the Dodgers are comfortable bringing him back from the 15-day injured list. Shortly before getting hurt, Yates had factored into the Dodgers' unsettled closer picture, but with Tanner Scott (elbow) tracking toward a return from the IL at a similar date, Yates may be in line for a middle-relief or setup role upon his activation.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Dodgers' Kirby Yates: Tosses side session

  Rotowire Aug 9, 2025

  Yates (back) threw a bullpen session Friday, MLB.com reports. Yates landed on the injured list Aug. 1 due to lower-back pain, and his ability to resume throwing off a mound suggests he's feeling better. Manager Dave Roberts indicated Friday that Yates is closer to being activated than the team's other injured relievers (Michael Kopech (knee) and Tanner Scott (elbow)), though it's unclear if Yates will be ready to return when he's first eligible Aug. 13. Regardless, it's evident that the veteran right-hander isn't expected to face an extended absence.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Dodgers' Kirby Yates: Shelved with lower back pain

  Rotowire Aug 1, 2025

  The Dodgers placed Yates on the 15-day injured list Friday due to lower back pain, retroactive to July 29. Yates hasn't made an appearance since this past Saturday against the Red Sox, and that absence was due to a back injury. He's been a steady presence out of the Dodgers' bullpen this season and has a 4.31 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 13 holds, two saves and a 44:12 K:BB across 31.1 innings. The Dodgers were able to bolster their bullpen depth by acquiring Brock Stewart and Paul Gervase from the Twins and Rays, respectively, earlier this week.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Dodgers' Kirby Yates: Snags save after Scott's exit

  Rotowire Jul 22, 2025

  Yates retired both batters he faced to earn the save in Monday's 5-2 win over the Twins. Yates had to come in during an at-bat, as Tanner Scott (forearm) couldn't continue against Ryan Jeffers in the ninth inning. Yates also allowed an inherited runner to score on a sacrifice fly, but he was able to prevent further damage to earn his third save of the campaign. He's been a little shaky in July, allowing three runs (two earned) over five innings while taking one loss. Yates has a 3.86 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 43:9 K:BB with 13 holds over 30.1 innings across 37 appearances. Should Scott land on the injured list, Yates and Alex Vesia are the current healthy candidates for ninth-inning duties, though Blake Treinen (forearm) could also be in the mix once he completes his rehab assignment. It's also possible the Dodgers focus on picking up a high-end reliever before the trade deadline to replenish their bullpen depth, especially if Scott's injury ends up being significant.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Dodgers' Kirby Yates: Notches save Monday

  Rotowire Jun 17, 2025

  Yates picked up a save against the Padres on Monday by tossing a perfect ninth inning. Manager Dave Roberts went to usual closer Tanner Scott to face the heart of San Diego's order in the eighth inning, then turned to Yates to close things out in the ninth. The right-handed Yates had little trouble doing so, throwing nine of 10 pitches for strikes and retiring Jake Cronenworth, Jose Iglesias and Tyler Wade in order. Roberts has shown a willingness to turn to Scott before the ninth frame when situations call for it, but that doesn't necessarily mean Yates will dominate save chances in those circumstances. In fact, the veteran reliever is one of four hurlers with multiple saves on the campaign for Los Angeles, and Alex Vesia tops him with three saves.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Dodgers' Kirby Yates: Earns hold in return

  Rotowire Jun 8, 2025

  Yates earned a hold in Sunday's 7-3 win over the Cardinals, giving up one hit and recording one out. Yates entered in the seventh inning with a runner on third and Los Angeles holding a 5-2 lead in his first appearance since May 17. He allowed the inherited runner to score on an RBI single before ending the frame with a groundout. On the year, the 38-year-old owns a 4.26 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 31:6 K:BB across 19 innings with nine holds and one save.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Dodgers' Kirby Yates: Ready for sim game

  Rotowire Jun 1, 2025

  Yates (hamstring) is expected to face hitters in a simulated game early this week, Sonja Chen of MLB.com reports. Yates threw a bullpen session Friday that apparently went well, and he appears ready to move on to the next phase of his throwing program as he works his way back from a right hamstring strain. If all goes well during the sim game, Yates could bypass a minor-league rehab assignment and return from the 15-day injured list next weekend.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Dodgers' Kirby Yates: Throws off mound Friday

  Rotowire May 31, 2025

  Yates (hamstring) threw off a bullpen mound Friday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports. For the first time since landing on the injured list May 18 due to a right hamstring strain, Yates was able to throw off a mound. Per Ardaya, the veteran reliever said Friday that he hasn't felt any discomfort in the hamstring since a few days after initially getting hurt and indicated that he is optimistic he isn't going to miss much more time. Yates is eligible to be activated Monday, and he could be back with the Dodgers around that date if he comes out of Friday's session with any setbacks.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Dodgers' Kirby Yates: Moves to injured list

  Rotowire May 18, 2025

  Yates (hamstring) was placed on the 15-day injured list Sunday. Manager Dave Roberts indicated after Saturday's loss to the Angels that he expected Yates to require a stint on the injured list, so it's not a surprise that he's been moved to the shelf. The right-hander is dealing with a Grade 1 strain of his right hamstring and will be eligible to be reinstated June 2, though there's no guarantee he'll be ready to be activated at that time.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Dodgers' Kirby Yates: Dealing with hamstring tightness

  Rotowire May 18, 2025

  Yates left Saturday's game against the Angels due to right hamstring tightness, Kirsten Watson of Spectrum SportsNet LA reports. Yates struggled in his outing Saturday before exiting with the training staff. A stint on the injured list is still possible, though it is positive that the injury is not related to his arm. Yates' loss would be significant as the Dodgers are already without other high-leverage relievers such as Blake Treinen (forearm), Evan Phillips (elbow) and Michael Kopech (shoulder).

  ... See More ... See Less

• Dodgers' Kirby Yates: Exits with trainer

  Rotowire May 17, 2025

  Yates exited Saturday's game against the Angels with the training due to an apparent injury, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports. Yates faced five batters but recorded only one out and allowed two earned runs before exiting the contest. The nature of the issue is unclear, but there should be additional updates Saturday night or Sunday morning.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Dodgers' Kirby Yates: Earns first save

  Rotowire May 5, 2025

  Yates struck out two batters in a perfect inning to earn a save against Miami on Monday. Yates saw his first save chance since blowing one against Texas on April 19 and saw much better results. He threw 10 of 16 pitches for strikes to quickly retire Miami's 3-4-5 hitters in order. He dropped his season ERA to 2.76 with an impressive 28:5 K:BB through 16.1 frames. Tanner Scott picked up his fourth hold by recording two outs in the eighth inning.

  ... See More ... See Less