Kirby Yates

Kirby Kali Yates (born March 25, 1987) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played for the Tampa Bay Rays, Los Angeles Angels, New York Yankees, and San Diego Padres. He made his MLB debut in 2014, and was an All-Star in 2019, when he led the National League in saves.

Kirby Yates
Yates with the New York Yankees in 2016
Toronto Blue Jays – No. 39
Pitcher
Born: (1987-03-25) March 25, 1987
Omao, Hawaii
Bats: Left Throws: Right
MLB debut
June 7, 2014, for the Tampa Bay Rays
MLB statistics
(through 2020 season)
Win–loss record12–17
Earned run average3.54
Strikeouts400
Saves57
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Early career
Yates pitching for the Tampa Bay Rays in 2014

Yates was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 26th round of the 2005 Major League Baseball draft out of Kauai High School in Lihue, Hawaii.[1] He did not sign and attended Yavapai College. He missed both the 2006 and 2007 seasons due to Tommy John surgery.[2]

Professional career

Tampa Bay Rays

After going undrafted in 2009, Yates signed with the Tampa Bay Rays.[3] In 2012, Yates reached the Double-A level with the Montgomery Biscuits, where he had a 2.65 ERA and 94 strikeouts in 68 innings over 50 games. Yates was a Triple-A All-Star in 2013, putting up a 1.90 ERA in 51 games for the Durham Bulls.[4]

Yates was added to the Rays 40-man roster on November 20, 2013.[5] Yates was called up to the majors for the first time on June 7, 2014 and made his debut that day.[6] In 37 games, he posted an ERA of 3.75 in 36 innings, striking out 42. The following season he struggled, posting an ERA of 7.97 in ​20 1⁄3 innings for the Major League club as he shuttled back and forth between Tampa and Durham. The Rays designated Yates for assignment after the 2015 season.

New York Yankees

On November 25, 2015, the Rays traded Yates to the Cleveland Indians for cash considerations.[7] Yates was subsequently designated for assignment on January 5, 2016. On January 8, 2016, the Indians traded Yates to the New York Yankees in exchange for cash considerations.[8] Yates made the Yankees' Opening Day roster in 2016.[9] Yates pitched in relief for the Yankees for most of the season, although he was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on June 28,[10] and then recalled on August 17.[11] In 41 games for the Yankees, he posted an ERA of 5.23 and 50 strikeouts in ​41 1⁄3 innings.

Los Angeles Angels

After the 2016 season, the Los Angeles Angels claimed Yates from the Yankees on waivers.[12] He was designated for assignment on April 2, 2017, after failing to secure a spot in the Angels bullpen during spring training, and he was outrighted from the 40-man roster and sent to the Triple-A Salt Lake Bees after clearing waivers on April 5.[13] Yates made his Angels debut as a reliever on April 22 against the Toronto Blue Jays but was designated for assignment the next day.[14]

San Diego Padres

On April 26, 2017, Yates was claimed off waivers by the San Diego Padres.[15] He excelled relieving for the Padres, striking out 87 in ​55 2⁄3 innings and going 4–5 with a 3.72 ERA in 61 games. Yates credited his success to the development of a split-finger fastball in the spring which he began throwing more often with the Padres.[16]

In 2018, Yates began the season as the setup man to closer Brad Hand. He briefly went to the disabled list in early April with an ankle injury, but returned after two weeks.[17] At the trade deadline, the Padres traded Hand, thus handing over the closer role to Yates.[18] He ended the season with a career low 2.14 ERA in 65 appearances. He was 12 for 13 in save opportunities and struck out 90 in 63 innings.

In 2019, Yates was selected as the Padres' sole representative at the All-Star Game.[19] For the season, he led all major league pitchers in saves, with 41.[20] He also recorded a 1.19 ERA and struck out 101 batters in ​60 2⁄3 innings.

Yates' 2020 season was cut short due to injury, as he ended the season with only 6 appearances.

Toronto Blue Jays

On January 20, 2021, Yates signed a one-year, $5.5 million contract with the Toronto Blue Jays.[21]

International career

At the conclusion of the 2018 season, Yates was selected to represent Major League Baseball at the 2018 MLB Japan All-Star Series[22][23]

Personal life

His brother, Tyler Yates, also played in Major League Baseball.[24] Kirby married his long time girlfriend Ashlee on January 2, 2016. She owns a business that places sitters with professional athlete families, Homerun Sitters LLC.[25][26]

References
  1. Shimogawa, Duane (June 10, 2005). "Yates drafted by Red Sox". Thegardenisland.com. Archived from the original on June 8, 2014. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  2. "'05 Kauai graduate armed and ready". The.honoluluadvertiser.com. June 3, 2008. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  3. "Yates fights back". Bgdailynews.com. April 19, 2010. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  4. Rob DeMello (July 3, 2013). "Kauai's Kirby Yates named Triple-A All-Star". Khon2.com. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  5. "Rays add four players to 40-man roster; sign seven to minor league contracts". Tampabay.rays.mlb.com. November 20, 2013. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  6. SCOTT CARTER The Durham Bulls. "Bulls' closer Kirby Yates finally gets long-awaited call from Rays". Heraldsun.com. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  7. Russell, Daniel (November 25, 2015). "Kirby Yates traded to Cleveland for cash". Retrieved October 5, 2016.
  8. "Yankees acquire Kirby Yates". Newsday. Retrieved January 8, 2016.
  9. "Curry: Kirby Yates gets final spot on Yankees' roster". The Journal News. April 1, 2016. Retrieved October 5, 2016.
  10. "Yankees call up Conor Mullee, option Kirby Yates to Triple-A". SNY.tv. June 28, 2016. Retrieved February 13, 2019.
  11. "Yankees recall Kirby Yates, option Chasen Shreve to Triple-A". SNY.tv. August 17, 2016. Retrieved February 13, 2019.
  12. "Roster cleanup: Yates and Parker claimed, Swarzak elects free agency". The Journal News. October 5, 2016. Retrieved October 5, 2016.
  13. "Angels' Kirby Yates: Outrighted to Triple-A". CBSSports.com. April 5, 2017. Retrieved February 13, 2019.
  14. "Angels' Kirby Yates: Designated for assignment". CBSSports.com. Retrieved April 27, 2017.
  15. "Padres' Kirby Yates: Claimed by San Diego". CBSSports.com. Retrieved April 27, 2017.
  16. Cassavell, AJ (May 19, 2018). "Yates, Padres a 'match made in heaven'". MLB.com. Retrieved February 13, 2019.
  17. Perkins, Owen (April 9, 2018). "Yates lands on DL; Baumann recalled". MLB.com. Retrieved February 13, 2019.
  18. Cassavell, AJ (July 21, 2018). "Yates stepping up to fill Padres' closer role". MLB.com. Retrieved February 13, 2019.
  19. "Kirby Yates follows Brad Hand as a Padres All-Star, but this year the circumstances are slightly different". The Athletic. July 1, 2019. Retrieved July 1, 2019.
  20. "2019 Major League Baseball Pitching Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. January 1, 1970. Retrieved October 9, 2019.
  21. https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/30744692/free-agent-reliever-kirby-yates-reaches-deal-toronto-blue-jays-per-reports
  22. "2018日米野球 MLBオールスターチーム コーチ・出場予定選手発表". 野球日本代表 侍ジャパン オフィシャルサイト (in Japanese). October 29, 2018. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  23. Sanders, Jeff (September 30, 2018). "Padres closer Kirby Yates to rep MLB in Japan series". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved February 13, 2019.
  24. "Brothers in arms". Thegardenisland.com. February 10, 2013. Archived from the original on February 12, 2013. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  25. "Her Business Proves A Hit With Pro Athletes Families". TampaBayTimes.com. March 11, 2015. Retrieved March 24, 2015.
  26. "Homerun Sitters LLC". homerunsitters.com. February 1, 2014. Retrieved March 24, 2015.
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