Angels sign RHP Kirby Yates to one-year, $5M deal

Field Level Media|published: Tue 6th January, 21:22 2026

Jul 21, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Kirby Yates (38) throws against the Minnesota Twins during the ninth inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Angels signed veteran right-handed reliever Kirby Yates to a one-year contract worth $5 million on Tuesday.

Yates, 38, does not have to leave Los Angeles for his next job after spending 2025 with the Dodgers. He made 50 appearances (41 1/3 innings) for the eventual World Series champions and pitched to a 5.23 ERA with a 4-3 record and three saves. He didn't pitch in the postseason.

The Angels will be Yates' eighth club in his 12th MLB season.

He has had his best seasons when serving as a closer for the San Diego Padres in 2019 and the Texas Rangers in 2024, receiving All-Star nods and Cy Young Award votes both years. For the Rangers, he went 7-2 with 33 saves and a sterling 1.17 ERA over 61 appearances.

In 472 career games, all out of the bullpen, Yates is 30-24 with 98 saves and a 3.36 ERA. He has struck out 623 batters and walked 181 in 452 2/3 innings of work.

--Field Level Media

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