Coming off a season in which they heavily relied on their bullpen en route to winning the World Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers looked to fortify that group by signing Kirby Yates and Tanner Scott.
Scott joined the Dodgers on a four-year contract while Yates was only signed for the 2025 season. He was coming off an impressive year with the Texas Rangers and figured to be among the high-leverage options the Dodgers leaned on.
That didn’t come to be, and Yates reached free agency for a second consecutive offseason. According to Ari Alexander of 7News, Yates is signing with the Los Angeles Angels on a one-year contract:
Source: RHP Kirby Yates and the #Angels are in agreement on a 1-year deal, pending physical. pic.twitter.com/kloQfcwpGU
— Ari Alexander (@AriA1exander) December 30, 2025
Yates appeared in 50 games for the Dodgers, going 4-3 with three saves, a 5.23 ERA, 4.76 FIP and 1.33 WHIP. He spent three stints on the 15-day injured list, with two of those due to a right hamstring strain.
Kirby Yates not part of Dodgers postseason
When Yates signed with the Dodgers, he expressed excitement over being able to contribute on a World Series contender. However, injuries and inconsistent performance resulted in the veteran not being included on any of the Dodgers’ postseason rosters.
“It’s important just for him to get the confidence,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts after Yates struggled in an appearance during the middle of September. “I think however many pitches he threw, most of them were quality pitches. He tried to go up and in to Goodman, left it down and gave up the homer.
“So I think for me, looking at the outing in totality, just feel there were a lot more good throws than bad throws. But yeah, happy we get the win, but he’s trying to find himself and get those feels so he can be as effective as he needs to be for us.”
Yates’ final appearance with the Dodgers was on Sept. 20.
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