RHP Kirby Yates, Dodgers agree to one-year, $13M deal

Field Level Media|published: Thu 30th January, 23:07 2025

Sep 18, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers relief pitcher Kirby Yates (39) throws during the ninth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Right-handed reliever Kirby Yates has agreed to a one-year contract worth $13 million to join the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The deal was first reported Jan. 21, and the team confirmed it Thursday night.

Yates' deal comes after left-hander Tanner Scott signed a four-year, $72 million contract with the Dodgers last week.

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).

The Dodgers designated right-handed pitcher Ryan Brasier for assignment to make room for Yates on the 40-man roster.

--Field Level Media