Report: Dodgers reach agreement with closer Kirby Yates

Field Level Media|published: Tue 21st January, 12:12 2025

Sep 22, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers relief pitcher Kirby Yates (39) walks off the field after he pitches against the Seattle Mariners during the ninth inning at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Dodgers have reached a tentative deal with free-agent right-handed reliever Kirby Yates, USA Today reported on Tuesday.

Terms of the contract were not disclosed for Yates, who would join an already strong pitching staff pending the results of a physical.

The reported move comes just days after the Dodgers reportedly signed left-hander Tanner Scott to a four-year, $72 million deal.

The Dodgers are looking to Scott and Yates to bolster the back end of a pitching staff that could roll out starters Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow and newly added Roki Sasaki. Clayton Kershaw also is expected to return to the Dodgers in 2025 after injury rehab.

Yates, 37, recorded 33 saves to go along with a 7-2 record and 1.17 ERA in 61 relief appearances last season with the Texas Rangers.

A two-time All-Star, Yates is 26-21 with 95 saves and a 3.17 ERA in 422 games (no starts) with the Tampa Bay Rays (2014-15), New York Yankees (2016), Los Angeles Angels (2017), San Diego Padres (2017-20), Atlanta Braves (2022-23) and Rangers (2024).

--Field Level Media