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The Los Angeles Angels continued reshaping their bullpen by signing veteran reliever Kirby Yates to a one-year, $5 million deal, betting that experience and upside can outweigh recent inconsistency. At 38, Yates arrives as another rebound candidate for a club focused on short-term flexibility while searching for stability late in games.
A Low-Risk Addition With Upside
Yates becomes the latest veteran arm added to the Angels’ relief corps, joining Jordan Romano and Drew Pomeranz on one-year contracts. The move reflects a clear strategy: stockpile experienced pitchers with closing pedigrees and hope one or more rediscover peak form. Financially, the signing aligns with that approach, especially after the Angels restructured the final year of Anthony Rendon’s contract, creating additional payroll maneuverability.
Recent Struggles Mask Encouraging Indicators
The right-hander is coming off a difficult 2025 season with the Dodgers, where injuries limited him to 41 1/3 innings and contributed to a 5.23 ERA. Multiple stints on the injured list and an elevated home run rate defined the year, and he did not appear in the postseason. Still, the underlying numbers offered reason for optimism. Yates maintained a strong strikeout rate and elite swing-and-miss ability, suggesting his raw stuff remains effective when healthy.
Not Far Removed From Elite Production
Just one season earlier, Yates delivered one of the best performances of his career with the Rangers, earning an All-Star nod while posting a 1.17 ERA and saving 33 games. That season marked a remarkable resurgence following his second Tommy John surgery and reinforced his reputation as a late-blooming reliever capable of dominating hitters. Since breaking out in San Diego, Yates has consistently missed bats at an elite rate and converted the majority of his save chances when available.
Fit in an Unsettled Bullpen
The Angels enter the season without a defined closer after Kenley Jansen’s departure, leaving the door open for competition. Yates brings 98 career saves and reunites with pitching coach Mike Maddux, who oversaw his All-Star season in Texas. While durability remains the primary concern, Los Angeles does not lack options, with Romano, Robert Stephenson, Drew Pomeranz, and eventually Ben Joyce all in the mix.
For the Angels, Yates represents a calculated gamble rather than a definitive solution. If healthy, he could stabilize the back end of the bullpen or even reclaim ninth-inning duties. If not, the short-term commitment limits long-term risk as the organization continues its broader effort to rebuild pitching depth.
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