The Los Angeles Dodgers made many notable signings during the offseason, and they concluded it by adding the two relievers who were believed to be the best available options on the free agent market in Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates.
Scott signed a four-year, $72 million contract after establishing himself as one of the top closers in baseball, while Yates joined the Dodgers on a one-year deal worth $13 million after an All-Star campaign.
But neither contract has worked out all that well for the Dodgers. Scott holds a 4.47 ERA across 50.1 innings, and he’s blown nine save opportunities in 30 chances.
Meanwhile, Yates has pitched to a 4.82 ERA over 37.1 innings, and he’s already allowed eight home runs, which is five more than last season in 24.1 fewer innings.
As the Dodgers search for their best bullpen combination and look to get some of their relievers back on track, Yates took the mound Tuesday night with a 7-1 lead over the Colorado Rockies.
After recording two outs in the ninth inning, the home run issue bit Yates again, and he followed that up by allowing a hard double before finishing the game.
“It’s important just for him to get the confidence,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “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 now owns a 6.53 ERA in his last seven outings. Since returning from the injured list in late August, he’s allowed five runs in six innings while surrendering two home runs.
The veteran right-hander has not been able to find the effectiveness of his splitter that helped make him one of the better closers in baseball.
That has resulted in fewer ground ball outs, more hard-hit balls in the air, and less production from both his fastball and splitter.
After opponents hit just .113 against Yates’ fastball last season and .114 off the splitter, that has increased this year to .213 and .254, respectively.
Will Kirby Yates make Dodgers postseason roster?
At this point it’s difficult to envision the Dodgers including Yates on their postseason roster given his metrics aren’t encouraging, his counting stats are poor, and he hasn’t passed the eye test.
The Dodgers already have a crowded bullpen that resulted in Ben Casparius being optioned, and Brock Stewart is expected to return before the end of the season.
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