Yates leaves the Dodgers, joining the crosstown rivals in Anaheim.
Former Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Kirby Yates has quickly landed a new opportunity in Southern California. After reaching free agency this offseason, the veteran right-hander has agreed to a one-year contract with the Los Angeles Angels, keeping him close to Chavez Ravine as he prepares for the 2026 campaign. The deal was first reported by MLB insider Ari Alexander.
Yates joined the Dodgers ahead of the 2025 season as part of an aggressive, pitching-heavy offseason for the reigning World Series champions. Los Angeles placed a clear emphasis on upgrading its staff, adding multiple established arms in an effort to sustain its championship window. Yates was among those additions, signing a one-year, $13 million contract that stood out given the organization’s typical approach to bullpen spending.
Under President of Baseball Operations, Andrew Friedman, the Dodgers have historically avoided long-term or high-cost commitments to relievers, instead favoring internal development and short-term depth moves. That philosophy shifted last winter, as Los Angeles invested heavily in the pitching market. Along with Yates, the Dodgers added left-hander Tanner Scott on a four-year, $72 million deal, former Cy Young winner Blake Snell, and Japanese phenom Roki Sasaki, signaling a win-now mindset entering 2025.
Yates’ time with the Dodgers was brief and marked by adversity. The 38-year-old battled injuries throughout the season, and those setbacks were reflected in his performance, as he endured one of the more difficult campaigns of his recent career. He finished the year with a 5.23 ERA over 41.1 innings, struggling to provide consistent results. As the Dodgers’ bullpen issues mounted over the course of the season, Yates was unable to establish a late-season role and ultimately did not factor into the club’s postseason plans.
Now with the Angels, Yates is expected to play an important role in a bullpen that continues to seek veteran arms. His familiarity with the Southern California market and ability to handle pressure situations could make him a valuable asset for a club looking to solidify the late innings. For the Angels, adding a proven reliever on a short-term deal carries limited risk while offering upside if Yates can replicate his effectiveness from past years.
From the Dodgers’ standpoint, Yates’ departure reflects the constant churn of bullpen construction rather than a reflection of dissatisfaction. With Edwin Díaz now anchoring the back end of the bullpen and the organization still confident in Scott’s potential rebound, the Dodgers appear comfortable reallocating resources and reshaping their relief arms yet again.
Yates’ move across town underscores how quickly roles and rosters can change, even for championship teams. As the 2026 season approaches, it will be interesting to see how the veteran reliever’s next chapter unfolds in Anaheim.