Kirby Yates Bio
Kirby Kali Yates is an American professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. Born on March 25, 1987, in Lihue, Hawaii, he has pitched in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Tampa Bay Rays, New York Yankees, Los Angeles Angels, San Diego Padres, Toronto Blue Jays, Atlanta Braves, Texas Rangers, and Los Angeles Dodgers. Yates made his MLB debut in 2014 and built his reputation as one of the league’s most reliable late-inning relievers, earning All-Star honors in 2019 and 2024. He is widely recognized for a sharp split-finger fastball and a calm, aggressive approach on the mound.
Kirby Yates Career
Early Career and Minor League Development
Yates was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 26th round of the 2005 MLB Draft out of Kauai High School in Lihue, Hawaii, but did not sign. He instead attended Yavapai College, where he missed both the 2006 and 2007 seasons after undergoing Tommy John surgery. After going undrafted in 2009, Yates signed with the Tampa Bay Rays as an amateur free agent on June 22, 2009, and began his professional career with the Princeton Rays of the Appalachian League.
He climbed steadily through the Rays system, reaching Double-A Montgomery in 2012 with a 2.65 ERA and 94 strikeouts in 68 innings over 50 games. His 12.44 strikeouts per nine innings paced the Southern League, and he returned to the Arizona Fall League for a second straight year. In 2013, Yates was a Triple-A All-Star with the Durham Bulls, posting a 1.90 ERA in 51 games and earning recognition as the Rays’ Minor League Relief Pitcher of the Year.
Tampa Bay Rays Breakthrough (2014–2015)
Yates was added to the Rays’ 40-man roster in November 2013 and was called up to the majors for the first time on June 7, 2014. He made his debut that day against the Seattle Mariners, pitching 1+1⁄3 scoreless innings with two strikeouts, the first against Brad Miller. In 37 appearances as a rookie, he posted a 3.75 ERA with 42 strikeouts in 36 innings, establishing himself as a steady middle reliever.
The 2015 season proved more difficult, as Yates shuttled between Tampa Bay and Durham and finished with a 7.97 ERA in 20+1⁄3 major league innings. The Rays designated him for assignment after the season, and on November 25, 2015, he was traded to the Cleveland Indians for cash considerations. Cleveland designated him for assignment in early January 2016, and three days later the New York Yankees acquired him in a cash deal.
New York Yankees and Los Angeles Angels (2016–2017)
Yates made the Yankees’ Opening Day roster in 2016 and spent most of the season in their bullpen, though he was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in late June and recalled in mid-August. In 41 appearances, he logged a 5.23 ERA with 50 strikeouts in 41+1⁄3 innings. After the season, the Los Angeles Angels claimed him off waivers.
Yates was designated for assignment by the Angels in early April 2017 after a difficult spring training, then outrighted to Triple-A Salt Lake. He made his Angels debut on April 22, 2017, against the Toronto Blue Jays and was designated for assignment the next day. On April 26, 2017, the San Diego Padres claimed him off waivers, launching the most successful chapter of his career.
San Diego Padres Era (2017–2020)
Yates flourished in San Diego, striking out 87 batters in 55+2⁄3 innings and going 4–5 with a 3.72 ERA in 61 games in 2017. He credited his turnaround to a split-finger fastball he developed in spring training and threw more often with the Padres. In 2018, he began the year as the setup man for closer Brad Hand before taking over the closer role at the trade deadline. He finished with a career-low 2.14 ERA in 65 appearances, converting 12 of 13 save chances with 90 strikeouts in 63 innings, and was selected to represent MLB at the 2018 Japan All-Star Series.
The 2019 season was the high point of Yates’ career. He was the Padres’ lone All-Star representative and led all major league pitchers with 41 saves, posting a 1.19 ERA with 101 strikeouts in 60+2⁄3 innings. He was also named to the 2019 All-MLB First Team. The shortened 2020 campaign was far less productive, as bone chips in his elbow limited him to six appearances before he was shut down.
Toronto Blue Jays and Atlanta Braves (2021–2023)
On January 20, 2021, Yates signed a one-year, $5.5 million contract with the Toronto Blue Jays. A flexor strain was diagnosed in March, and on March 24 he underwent a second Tommy John surgery that ended his season. On November 29, 2021, he signed a two-year, $8.25 million contract with the Atlanta Braves. He missed most of 2022 recovering and returned to the majors late in the year, allowing four runs in seven innings across nine appearances.
In 2023, Yates’ first full season since 2019, he pitched 60+1⁄3 innings over 60 games and posted a 3.28 ERA. The Braves declined the option on his contract for 2024, making him a free agent on November 6, 2023.
Texas Rangers Era (2024)
Yates signed a one-year, $4.5 million contract with the Texas Rangers on December 6, 2023. In 61 appearances, he allowed eight earned runs across 61+2⁄3 innings for a 1.17 ERA, struck out 85 batters, and converted 33 of 34 save opportunities. He was named to his second career All-Star team in 2024.
Los Angeles Dodgers Era (2025)
On January 30, 2025, Yates signed a one-year, $13 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He pitched in 50 games, going 4–3 with a 5.23 ERA and 52 strikeouts in 41+1⁄3 innings. The Dodgers placed him on the injured list on September 24, 2025, ending his season, and he became a free agent after the year.
Notable Events and Milestones
Yates’ 41 saves in 2019 led all of Major League Baseball, and his 1.19 ERA that year ranked among the best in the National League. His selection to the 2018 MLB Japan All-Star Series highlighted his rising status, and his second All-Star nod in 2024 underscored his late-career resurgence with the Rangers.
Kirby Yates Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Yates’ brother, Tyler Yates, also played in Major League Baseball and has since served as a police officer in Kauai. Kirby married his longtime girlfriend, Ashlee, on January 2, 2016, and she owns Homerun Sitters LLC, a business that places sitters with professional athlete families. His hobbies include surfing and golfing.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season opened with Yates signing a one-year, $13 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, joining one of the National League’s most competitive bullpens. He worked in 50 games, finishing the year with a 4–3 record, a 5.23 ERA, and 52 strikeouts in 41+1⁄3 innings. His usage declined as the season progressed, and the Dodgers ended his year by placing him on the injured list on September 24, 2025.
Despite the late-season fade, Yates remained a veteran presence in the Dodgers’ relief corps through the summer months. His All-Star pedigree and track record of high-leverage work continued to make him a recognizable late-inning option, even as his role shifted in the closing stretch. Heading into the offseason, he became a free agent with another chance to reshape the back end of a contender’s bullpen.