Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Kirby Yates recorded his first save of the season in Monday's 7-4 victory over the Marlins. The 38-year-old is coming off a 33-save season for the Rangers in which he posted a 1.17 ERA and 0.83 WHIP, and while he is not the team's primary closer, the veteran has been effective nonetheless. The righty owns a 2.76 ERA (1.78 xFIP), 1.04 WHIP, and an elite 34.8 percent K-BB% in 16 1/3 IP, along with seven holds. The Dodgers' primary closer, southpaw Tanner Scott, came on in the eighth to put an end to a Marlin rally, getting power-hitting lefties Matt Mervis and Kyle Stowers to record the final two outs of the frame. Yates should continue to be in the mix for saves, but expect them to be unpredictable and infrequent. As evidenced by the aforementioned stats, though, the 2x All-Star can still be relevant for fantasy by improving ERA and WHIP while adding Ks.

Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Kirby Yates allowed an unearned run in the 10th inning but still secured the win on Monday as the Dodgers walked off winners over the visiting Marlins. With the score tied 5-5, Yates came on to pitch the 10th inning and allowed the runner placed on second base to start the inning to come around to score on Jesus Sanchez's RBI double. He avoided further damage, though, and the Dodgers stormed back for two runs in the bottom of the inning on a two-run single from Tommy Edman. Yates' win was his third of the season, and he is now 3-1 with a 2.63 ERA and 1.82 FIP to go with 24 strikeouts in 13 2/3 innings this season. He has no saves but six holds to go with his three wins, and he'll remain a high-leverage option out of the bullpen for the Dodgers going forward.

According to ESPN's Jeff Passan, right-handed reliever Kirby Yates and the Los Angeles Dodgers officially agreed on a one-year, $13 million deal on Tuesday, according to sources. Yates' deal could be worth up to $14 million if he appears in 55 games in 2025. With reliever Michael Kopech (forearm) dealing with forearm issues last fall, the Dodgers boosted their bullpen this offseason with the additions of both Yates and left-hander Tanner Scott, who is expected to see the majority of save chances in L.A. next season. The 37-year-old Yates was outstanding for the Texas Rangers in 2024 with a 1.17 ERA, 0.83 WHIP, 85 strikeouts and 33 saves in 61 2/3 relief innings. While he'll certainly be a nice option for fantasy managers in holds leagues, he will be turning 38 in March and won't see nearly as many save chances with the World Series champions as long as Scott is healthy.

The Los Angeles Dodgers reached a tentative agreement with free-agent closer Kirby Yates on Tuesday, pending a physical. It comes after the Dodgers just signed left-handed closer Tanner Scott to a four-year, $72 million deal over the weekend. The Dodgers have fortified their bullpen with two big arms in a matter of days, which makes sense after a report that right-handed reliever Michael Kopech (undisclosed) could miss the first month of the regular season due to an undisclosed injury. Yates, 37, was excellent for the Texas Rangers last season with a 1.17 ERA, 0.83 WHIP, 33 saves, 85 strikeouts and only 28 walks in 61 2/3 relief innings. However, he will be hard-pressed to improve on those elite numbers in 2025, especially since he's unlikely to see many save opportunities while residing in the same bullpen as Scott and Kopech. Still, Yates will be highly coveted in holds leagues.

According to Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times, the Los Angeles Dodgers had interest in free-agent relief pitcher Kirby Yates before signing left-hander Tanner Scott. Harris noted that throughout the offseason, the Dodgers evaluated several of the top relief pitchers, including Yates. However, the team always viewed Scott as the top option. Last season, Scott posted a strong 1.75 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP with 84 strikeouts across 72 innings of work last season. Fantasy managers should expect Scott to be deployed as the top ninth-inning option in Los Angeles, given the four-year $72 million contract he received. Yates enjoyed an impressive campaign in 2024 as he posted a stellar 1.17 ERA and a 0.83 WHIP across 61 innings. He tallied 33 saves and 85 punchouts for the Texas Rangers. Yates now sits as one of, if not the top relief pitcher on the market and will likely be deployed as a closer with his new club.

According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, free-agent relief pitcher Kirby Yates remains a priority during free agency for the Texas Rangers. Yates operated as the top ninth-inning option in Texas last season and performed quite well, boasting a 1.17 ERA and a 0.83 WHIP. He tallied 33 saves across his 61 2/3 innings of work. Under the hood, the 33-year-old generated a 1.86 xERA and .145 xBA, which were both among the top marks compared to qualified pitchers. In addition, Yates struck out batters at an elite 35.9% rate and allowed hard-contact at a low 33.1% rate and barrels at a 4.1% rate. However, he did struggle with his command, as he posted a high 11.8% walk rate. Yates will likely operate as a ninth-inning reliever wherever he calls home in 2025, but he would be the clear top option if he returns to Texas.

According to Ari Alexander of KPRC2, the Detroit Tigers have expressed interest in free-agent relief pitcher Kirby Yates. Yates is coming off his best professional campaign after posting a stellar 1.17 ERA and 0.83 WHIP across 61 2/3 innings with the Texas Rangers. He tallied 33 saves (second-highest total of his career) and was named to the American League All-Star team. Under the hood, the 37-year-old generated an impressive 1.86 ERA and .145 xBA, which placed him in the 100th percentile in both categories among qualified pitchers. In addition, he generated strikeouts at an elite 35.9% rate and limited hard hits at a solid 33.1% rate. While he did struggle with his command, posting an 11.8% walk rate, Yates would likely open the season as the primary ninth-inning option if he signs in Detroit with Jason Foley moving to the setup role.

Texas Rangers closer Kirby Yates secured his 24th save of the season in Wednesday afternoon's resumption of Tuesday night's suspended game against the hosting Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field. Yates induced a groundout from Brooks Baldwin for the final out of Wednesday's win over Chicago, earning the save with two strikeouts and working around a walk in a scoreless ninth inning as the Rangers won the game 3-1. The 37-year-old veteran right-hander hasn't looked back after taking over as Texas' closer in favor of Jose Leclerc during the first month of the campaign, registering a 1.25 ERA, 0.85 WHIP, and 73:23 K:BB while converting 24 of his 25 save opportunities in 2024. He's been one of fantasy's best additions off waiver wires this year.

Texas Rangers closer Kirby Yates picked up his 22nd save of the season in Monday's 4-3 win over the Pirates. Yates came in to pitch the top of the ninth inning up by one and delivered a 1-2-3 inning with two strikeouts. The 37-year-old has had a resurgent fantasy season, converting all but one save opportunity with a 1.33 ERA, a 12.93 K/9 rate, and a 4.18 BB/9 rate in 47 1/3 innings of work. The Rangers have not been as dominant as they were last season, but they have been playing better lately and Yates appears to have a firm grasp on the closer's role. Fantasy managers should feel comfortable with him in their lineups unless anything drastic changes.

Texas Rangers closer Kirby Yates continued his strong season with a two-out save against the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday. The veteran didn't open the inning, but came in to relieve Josh Sborz with one out and got Gavin Sheets to strikeout before Eloy Jimenez flew out to give Yates his 18th save and the Rangers their 49th victory. Yates has been great for the Rangers this season with a 1.22 ERA and there is no reason to think that he will not continue to operate as one of the best closers in the league this season as he has a 1.74 xERA to backup his success.

Texas Rangers closer Kirby Yates picked up his 16th save of the season, giving up a run in the ninth inning but holding on to a three-run lead. The 37-year-old has been lights out for most of this season with a 1.05 ERA and 0.90 WHIP this season. The right-hander has been a big boon to fantasy managers who used an early waiver-wire claim for his services. He will look to continue his dominant run in the second half of the season.

Texas Rangers closer Kirby Yates needed just five pitches to secure his 15th save of the season in Saturday's 2-1 extra-inning win over the Astros. The 37-year-old got Jose Altuve and Alex Bregman to pop out on one pitch apiece, Yordan Alvarez was intentionally walked, and then Yainer Diaz struck out on three pitches to end the game. Yates is having a fantastic season, recording 15 saves with zero blown saves while posting a 0.81 ERA, 0.87 WHIP, and a 24.2% K-BB%.

Texas Rangers closer Kirby Yates picked up his 13th save of the season in Saturday's 4-3 win over the Rays. Yates faced only three batters and needed just 10 pitches to get through the frame. It was his second consecutive day with a save so his availability for Sunday is unclear. Nevertheless, Yates has been fantastic this season, posting a 0.86 ERA, 0.86 WHIP, and a 14:43 BB:K across 31 1/3 IP with two holds to go along with his 13 saves.

Texas Rangers relief pitcher Kirby Yates managed to secure his eighth save of the season in Tuesday's 4-2 win over the Diamondbacks. Yates came in to pitch the top of the ninth inning up by two. He got the first two outs on a ground-out and strikeout, allowed a walk and a single, and ended the game with another strikeout. The 37-year-old veteran has pitched very well this season, converting all of his save opportunities with a 0.90 ERA, an 11.25 K/9 rate, and a 4.50 BB/9 rate. However, he has only seen one-third of the team's save opportunities in May with three. This is frustrating from a fantasy perspective, as he has clearly been the best performer. Hopefully, this will translate into a more commanding lead over the closer's role.

Texas Rangers relief pitcher Kirby Yates closed out the Detroit Tigers on Thursday in a 9-7 win. Yates got the final four outs of this one, allowing just a hit while striking out one. It was the 37-year-old's second save of the season, with his first coming on Monday. He has been used as Texas' highest-leverage pitcher for the past few weeks and is likely to continue in that role, which will presumably give him the best chance at saves in the Rangers bullpen. He should be added in any leagues where saves matter.

Texas Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said that the team will still keep things open in the closer role, but with the way right-hander Kirby Yates is throwing the ball right now, "we kind of like where it's at." In the 1-0 win over the Detroit Tigers on Monday, Yates tossed a perfect inning with no hits allowed, no walks and no strikeouts to pick up his first save of the season. The 37-year-old veteran hasn't allowed a run yet in 2024 in six relief appearances while walking one and striking out five in six innings of work. Meanwhile, Jose Leclerc has surrendered eight earned runs on seven hits (one homer) while walking seven and fanning six in six innings. Nothing is official yet, but fantasy managers that are chasing saves should run to the waiver wire to pick up Yates right away.

Free-agent relief pitcher Kirby Yates agreed with the Texas Rangers on an undisclosed one-year deal on Tuesday, pending a physical, according to a source. The Rangers had a clear plan to upgrade their bullpen this offseason after winning the first World Series title in franchise history this past season. Yates became a free agent this winter when the Atlanta Braves declined his $5.75 million option for 2024. The 36-year-old veteran right-hander was strong for Atlanta and had a 3.28 ERA with 80 strikeouts in 60 1/3 relief innings in 2023. Texas is an excellent landing spot for Yates now that he's completely back from Tommy John surgery, and he could be a late-round target for saves and potentially even holds in his new home in the back end of Texas' bullpen.

Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Kirby Yates earned his first save of the season in Monday's 4-1 win over the Twins. Yates came in to pitch the top of the ninth inning up by three. He got the first out on a fly-out, allowed a single, but then got back-to-back strikeouts to end the game. Raisel Iglesias had pitched in each of the last two days, so the veteran got the call to close the game. The 36-year-old has pitched pretty well this season with a 3.00 ERA, 12.30 K/9 rate, and 5.10 BB/9 rate in 30 innings. However, his fantasy value will remain very limited as long as Iglesias continues to convert save opportunities.

Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Kirby Yates picked up his first win of the 2023 season in the team's 5-4 win over the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday. Yates pitched a scoreless and hitless eighth inning while walking one and striking out one to pick up the victory. Left-hander A.J. Minter followed with his second save of the young season for Atlanta. The 36-year-old Yates has only thrown 11 1/3 innings in the last three years due to injuries, so it's nice to see him get rewarded with his first relief win since 2018. He'll be a volatile option in deep holds leagues, though, and he's allowed three runs on three hits (one homer allowed) while walking six and striking out four in 4 2/3 innings over his first five appearances in 2023.

Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Kirby Yates (elbow) is not expected to have any restrictions heading into spring training. The right-hander was left off the NLDS roster after experiencing right elbow inflammation. Yates is working his way back from his second Tommy John surgery. The 35-year-old threw seven innings for the Braves this season. It's unlikely that he'll be used as a closer in Atlanta. However, he will certainly boost the bullpen next season, assuming he can stay healthy.