Sep 18, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers relief pitcher Kirby Yates (39) throws during the ninth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images Sep 18, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers relief pitcher Kirby Yates (39) throws during the ninth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Kirby Yates Agrees To Contract

Originally posted on Dodger Blue | By Matthew Moreno | Last updated Jan 21, 2025 11:52 AM ET

The Los Angeles Dodgers have been the most active and aggressive team in free agency this offseason, which has resulted in signing the likes of Blake Snell, Michael Conforto, Roki Sasaki and Tanner Scott.

The team additionally re-signed Blake Treinen and Teoscar Hernández, both of whom played a key role in the Dodgers winning the 2024 World Series. Meanwhile, Tommy Edman received a five-year contract extension.

On the heels of bolstering their bullpen by reaching an agreement with Scott, the Dodgers appear to be on the verge of adding another reliever.

According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, Kirby Yates is likely to sign with the Dodgers :

The Los Angeles Dodgers, who already have folks screaming about their payroll, have reached a tentative agreement with free-agent closer Kirby Yates, pending a physical. The deal comes on the heels of signing Tanner Scott to a 4-year, $72 million contract.

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) January 21, 2025

Yates was limited to just 11 innings from 2020-2022 due to multiple injuries, including Tommy John surgery. He pitched to a 3.28 ERA upon returning in 2023, but that included a walk rate of nearly 15%.

The veteran right-hander then bounced back with the Texas Rangers last year, as he finished with a 1.17 ERA, 2.50 FIP and 0.83 WHIP while collecting 33 saves in 61 appearances. Yates also posted a 35.9% strikeout rate while lowering his walk rate to 11.8%.

Yates, who will turn 38 years old in March, primarily relies on an effective four-seam fastball that is combined with a splitter.

How Kirby Yates fits in Dodgers bullpen

The Dodgers signing Yates would appear to give them a surplus for their bullpen, but there are reports of the team expecting Michael Kopech to miss the first month of the 2025 regular season due to injury.

Details of Kopech’s injury have not yet surfaced. The Dodgers are also poised to be without Brusdar Graterol for the first half of the year while he recovers from right shoulder surgery.

This article first appeared on Dodger Blue and was syndicated with permission.

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