The Los Angeles Dodgers announced the signing of Kirby Yates to a one-year contract worth $13 million. To make room on the 40-man roster, Ryan Brasier was designated for assignment.
Yates’ contract with the Dodgers also includes a reported $1 million in incentives if he pitches in 55 games.
The 37-year-old is coming off a fantastic season for the Texas Rangers 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%.
The two-time All-Star is entering the 12th season of his career, but just his 11th pitching as he missed the entire 2021 season due to Tommy John Surgery.
Yates pitched just 11.1 innings from 2020-2022 due to injuries. He had a 3.28 ERA upon returning in 2023, but that included a walk rate of nearly 15% before bouncing back at an elite level in 2024.
Yates has spent time with the Tampa Bay Rays, New York Yankees, Los Angeles Angels, San Diego Padres, Atlanta Braves and Texas Rangers in his career, posting a 3.17 ERA with 95 saves.
However, since the addition of his splitter, Yates has been one of MLB’s best closers. In 2019 with the Padres, he recorded 41 saves with a 1.19 ERA, and last year in his second full season back from Tommy John, he recorded 33 saves.
In Yates’ All-Star seasons in 2019 and 2024, he also finished in the top 10 of Cy Young voting.
Since the beginning of the 2019 season, the righty owns a 14-10 record with a 2.23 ERA and 280 strikeouts in 194 innings. He has 81 saves and 7.0 bWAR in 197 games during that span.
Dodgers DFA Ryan Brasier to add Kirby Yates
Brasier joined the Dodgers in 2023 after being designated for assignment by the Boston Red Sox, and he ended up becoming a key reliever in the bullpen.
Brasier ended up re-signing on a two-year deal worth $9 million prior to the 2024 season, but he missed an extended period of time due to injury last year.
He ended up throwing 28 innings with a 3.54 ERA and 3.31 FIP while striking out 22.7% of hitters and walking 4.5%.
The Dodgers now have seven days to trade him or grant him his release. A trade figures to be the most likely outcome as Brasier would be one of the better relievers on many clubs.
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!
