The Los Angeles Angels officially announced the signing of Kirby Yates to a one-year contract for the 2026 season. Yates’ deal is worth a reported $5 million and marks a reunion as he spent a brief stint with the team in 2017.
He gives the Angels another veteran option in their bullpen who has closing experience. Jordan Romano and Drew Pomeranz were signed to respective one-year contracts back in December.
With Yates, the Angels are betting on a bounce-back campaign as he’s coming off a disappointing season with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Yates dealt with multiple injuries throughout the year and appeared in just 50 games.
Working around three separate stints on the 15-day injured list, Yates went 4-3 with three saves, a 5.23 ERA, 4.76 FIP and 1.33 WHIP with the Dodgers.
It was far from the expected outcome when Yates was signed to a one-year contract fresh off an All-Star season with the Texas Rangers.
“Free agency is the only time you can really choose your team. The older you get, that starts being important,” Yates said during his introductory press conference at Dodger Stadium.
“When you’re the second week of August, first week of September, and you’re falling out of that playoff race, it hits you a little different. You’re getting older and losing another chance to make a deep run in the postseason. This is my third time signing with the reigning World Series champs.
“I think the difference this time is how loaded this team is compared to everybody else. I’m looking forward to finally trying to make that run and be able to pitch deep into the postseason.”
Unfortunately for Yates, injuries and ineffectiveness prevented him from pitching in the playoffs. Though, his Dodgers tenure ended as a World Series champion.
Kirby Yates refresh with Angels?
The Angels don’t have a rich pitching history, but there could be some reason for optimism with their latest signing. By adding Yates, he’s reunited with pitching coach Mike Maddux, who was with the right-hander on the Rangers.
Yates had 33 games and posted a 1.17 ERA to go along with a 36% strikeout rate that season.
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