| Kirby Yates | |
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) Yates with theNew York Yankees in 2016 | |
| Los Angeles Dodgers – No. 38 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1987-03-25)March 25, 1987 (age 37) Lihue, Hawaii, U.S. | |
Bats: Left Throws: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| June 7, 2014, for the Tampa Bay Rays | |
| MLB statistics (through March 19, 2025) | |
| Win–loss record | 26–21 |
| Earned run average | 3.16 |
| Strikeouts | 573 |
| Saves | 95 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Kirby Kali Yates (born March 25, 1987) is an American professionalbaseballpitcher for theLos Angeles Dodgers ofMajor League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for theTampa Bay Rays,Los Angeles Angels,New York Yankees,San Diego Padres,Atlanta Braves, andTexas Rangers.
Yates made his MLB debut in 2014, and was anAll-Star in2019, when he led theNational League insaves. He made the All-Star team again in2024.
Yates was drafted by theBoston Red Sox in the 26th round of the2005 Major League Baseball draft out ofKauai High School inLihue, Hawaii.[1] He did not sign and attendedYavapai College. He missed both the 2006 and 2007 seasons due toTommy John surgery.[2]
After going undrafted in the2009 MLB draft, Yates signed with theTampa Bay Rays as an amateur free agent on June 22, 2009 and began his professional career with thePrinceton Rays of theAppalachian League.[3] In 2010, he spent most of the season with theBowling Green Hot Rods of theMidwest League, where he was 3–6 record with a 3.30 ERA in 27 games (12 stars).[4] He was promoted to theCharlotte Stone Crabs of theFlorida State League on August 12, but made only one start before he was shut down for the year with a strained right shoulder that required offseason surgery.[5] The surgery caused him to also miss the first two months of the 2011 season before rehabbing in theGulf Coast League and then rejoining Charlotte on June 22.[5] Yates made 16 appearances with them, allowing only six runs in33+1⁄3 innings over 16 appearances[4] and played with theSurprise Saguaros in theArizona Fall League after the regular season ended.[4]
In 2012, Yates reached the Double-A level with theMontgomery Biscuits, where he had a 2.65 ERA and 94 strikeouts in 68 innings over 50 games.[4] His 12.44 strikeouts per nine innings led allSouthern League pitchers and he again returned to the Arizona Fall League, this time with thePhoenix Desert Dogs.[5] Yates was a Triple-A All-Star in 2013, putting up a 1.90 ERA in 51 games for theDurham Bulls.[6] He was also selected as the Rays organizations Minor League Relief Pitcher of the Year while recording 16 saves.[5]
Yates was added to the Rays 40-man roster on November 20, 2013[7] and made 21 appearances for Durham, allowing only one run in 25 innings.[4] Yates was called up to the majors for the first time on June 7, 2014, and made his debut that day,[8] pitching1+1⁄3 scoreless innings against theSeattle Mariners with two strikeouts (his first being againstBrad Miller).[9] In 37 games, he posted an ERA of 3.75 in 36 innings, striking out 42.[10] The following season he struggled, posting an ERA of 7.97 in20+1⁄3 innings for the Major League club[10] and 5.68 in25+1⁄3 innings for Durham as he shuttled back and forth between the majors and minors.[4]
The Raysdesignated Yates for assignment after the 2015 season.[11]
On November 25, 2015, the Rays traded Yates to theCleveland Indians for cash considerations.[12][13] He was subsequently designated for assignment on January 5, 2016 and three days later traded to theNew York Yankees in exchange for cash considerations.[14] Yates made the Yankees'Opening Day roster in 2016[15] and pitched in relief for the Yankees for most of the season, although he was optioned toTriple-AScranton/Wilkes-Barre on June 28,[16] and then recalled on August 17.[17] In 41 games for the Yankees, he posted an ERA of 5.23 and 50 strikeouts in41+1⁄3 innings.[10]
After the 2016 season, theLos Angeles Angels claimed Yates from the Yankees onwaivers.[18] He was designated for assignment on April 2, 2017, after failing to secure a spot in the Angels bullpen during spring training, and he was outrighted from the 40-man roster and sent to the Triple-ASalt Lake Bees on April 5.[19] After six games in the minors, Yates made his Angels debut as a reliever on April 22 against theToronto Blue Jays and allowed a two-run home run toKevin Pillar before retiring the next three batters he faced.[20] He was designated for assignment the next day.[21]
On April 26, 2017, Yates was claimed off waivers by theSan Diego Padres.[22] He excelled relieving for the Padres, striking out 87 in55+2⁄3 innings and going 4–5 with a 3.72 ERA in 61 games.[10] Yates credited his success this season to the development of asplit-finger fastball in the spring which he began throwing more often with the Padres.[23]
In 2018, Yates began the season as the setup man to closerBrad Hand.[24] He briefly went to the disabled list in early April with an ankle injury, but returned after two weeks.[25] At the trade deadline, the Padres traded Hand, thus handing over the closer role to Yates.[26] He ended the season with a career low 2.14 ERA in 65 appearances and was 12 for 13 in save opportunities with 90 strikeouts in 63 innings.[10] At the conclusion of the 2018 season, Yates was selected to represent Major League Baseball at the2018 MLB Japan All-Star Series.[27][28]
In 2019, Yates was selected as the Padres' sole representative at theAll-Star Game.[29] For the season, he led all major league pitchers in saves, with 41.[30] He also recorded a 1.19 ERA and struck out 101 batters in60+2⁄3 innings[10] and was named to the 2019All-MLB Team.[31]
He ended the season with only six appearances during thepandemic shortened 2020 season, allowing six runs in4+1⁄3 innings before he was shut down because of bone chips in his elbow.[32]
On January 20, 2021, Yates signed a one-year, $5.5 million contract with theToronto Blue Jays.[33] However, on March 22, he was diagnosed with a flexor strain[34] and he underwent a second Tommy John surgery on March 24, ending his season.[35][36]
On November 29, 2021, Yates signed a two-year, $8.25 million contract with theAtlanta Braves.[37][38] On July 16, 2022, he pitched a perfect inning in theFlorida Complex League, his first game at any level since August 2020.[39] Yaes was activated off of the injured list on August 10[40] and allowed four funs in seven innings in nine games at the end of the season.[10]
In 2023, his first full season since 2019, he pitched60+1⁄3 innings over 60 games, allowing 22 runs for a 3.28 ERA.[10] On November 6, 2023, the Braves declined the option on Yates' contract for the 2024 season, making him a free agent[41][42]
On December 6, 2023, Yates signed a one-year, $4.5 million contract with theTexas Rangers.[43] In 61 games, he allowed eight earned runs in61+2⁄3 innings for a 1.17 ERA, 85 strikeouts, and 33 saves.[10] He was named to his second careerAll-Star team.[44]
On January 30, 2025, Yates signed a one-year, $13 million contract with theLos Angeles Dodgers.[45]
His brother,Tyler Yates, also played in Major League Baseball.[46] Tyler has since been a police officer in Kauai.[47]
Yates married his long time girlfriend Ashlee on January 2, 2016. She owns a business that places sitters with professional athlete families, Homerun Sitters LLC.[48][49] His hobbies include surfing and golfing.[47][50]
