Dodgers News: Angels Sign Kirby Yates
Kirby Yates is jumping ship to the AL with the Angels
LOS ANGELES, CA—A significant point of emphasis for the Los Angeles Dodgers front office this winter was addressing their bullpen, which was by far their weakest link during the 2025 season.
A massive contributor to that lack of success last season was veteran right-hander Kirby Yates, whom Los Angeles signed last winter to a one-year deal despite Yates posting career-best numbers with the Texas Rangers during the 2024 season, becoming an American League All-Star.
During Yates’ time in Dodger Blue, the right-hander made three trips to the injured list, finished the regular season with a 5.23 ERA, and didn’t appear in the playoffs due to a lingering hamstring injury.
Still, Yates, an 11-year veteran, finally earned his first World Series ring with Los Angeles, and with his time on the injured list, many might have thought he would simply retire.
However, that is not the case, as according to Ari Alexander of 7News, Yates is staying in Southern California and signing a one-year deal with the Dodgers’ Freeway rival, the Los Angeles Angels.
Yates is also close to having a standout 2024 season with the Rangers, during which he made the AL All-Star team and posted a 1.17 ERA with 85 strikeouts and 33 saves over 61.2 innings.
This performance is especially impressive considering it was only his second full season back from Tommy John surgery. However, with the Dodgers signing Edwin Díaz and the potential recovery of Tanner Scott and Blake Treinen, his services were not required for the 2026 season.
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