The Los Angeles Angels have reached an agreement on a one-year contract with veteran right-handed reliever Kirby Yates, according to a source familiar with the negotiation. The 38-year-old pitcher, known for his experience and effectiveness out of the bullpen, adds depth to a Los Angeles relief corps looking to improve in the upcoming season.
Yates brings notable major league experience to the Angels, having played for several teams over his career. Once a standout closer with the San Diego Padres, where he led the National League in saves in 2019, Yates has demonstrated the ability to pitch effectively in high-leverage situations. His repertoire includes a sharp splitter and fastball combination that has yielded solid strikeout rates in his prime years.
In recent seasons, Yates has contended with injuries, including Tommy John surgery that sidelined him for the entire 2021 season. He made a return to the mound with the Atlanta Braves in 2023, working his way back into form and showing flashes of his previous effectiveness. While his workload was managed carefully, he gave the Braves quality innings out of the bullpen.
For the Angels, the addition of Yates provides not only bullpen depth but also a veteran presence to mentor younger relievers. The team has been active in reshaping its pitching staff following a disappointing season and sees Yates as a potential contributor in middle-to-late inning situations.
Yates’ signing is consistent with the Angels’ recent strategy of augmenting their roster with experienced players on short-term commitments, allowing for flexibility while addressing immediate needs. The details of the financial terms were not disclosed.
As spring training approaches, Yates is expected to compete for a significant role in the Los Angeles bullpen. Assuming he remains healthy, he could be a key figure in stabilizing the team’s late-inning pitching, an area that proved challenging in the previous campaign.
