Right-handed reliever Kirby Yates has agreed to a one-year, $5 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels, according to reports. The 38-year-old veteran joins a bullpen bolstered by recent signings of Jordan Romano and Drew Pomeranz. While the team has not confirmed the deal, it marks another bounce-back opportunity for Yates after a challenging 2025 season with the Dodgers.
The agreement was first reported by 7News Boston's Ari Alexander and later detailed by MLB Network's Jon Heyman on Tuesday. Yates, coming off a difficult year in Los Angeles where he signed a one-year, $12 million deal with the Dodgers, made three trips to the injured list, posted a 5.23 ERA over 41 1/3 innings, and allowed nine home runs. Despite not appearing in the playoffs, he earned a World Series ring with the champions, and his underlying metrics—a 35.3% whiff rate and 29.1% strikeout rate—suggest potential for recovery heading into his age-39 season in 2026.
This signing adds to the Angels' efforts to rebuild their bullpen this offseason. On December 16, they inked one-year deals with Romano and Pomeranz, both veterans seeking rebounds of their own. Yates also reunites with pitching coach Mike Maddux, who previously worked with him in Texas. The Angels lack a defined closer following Kenley Jansen's departure in free agency, positioning Yates—with 98 career saves—as a possible option alongside internal candidates like Ben Joyce, Robert Stephenson, and Romano, who has 113 saves and was an All-Star in 2022 and 2023.
Yates' career resilience stands out. A Hawaii native undrafted out of Yavapai College after his first Tommy John surgery in 2006, he debuted in the majors at age 27 with the Rays after signing post-2009 draft. After stints with the Yankees and an initial Angels appearance, he was claimed by the Padres in 2017. His breakout came in 2019 with a 1.19 ERA and MLB-leading 41 saves, earning All-Star honors. Injuries limited him from 2020-2022, including a second Tommy John procedure in 2021, but he rebounded with the Braves in 2023 (3.28 ERA) and dominated for the Rangers in 2024 (1.17 ERA, 33 saves, All-Star selection) in his second full season post-surgery.
The Angels' recent restructuring of Anthony Rendon's contract provides added flexibility for further moves, including additions like right-handers Alek Manoah and Grayson Rodriguez, and utility man Vaughn Grissom.
