The Los Angeles Dodgers announced that they have activated reliever Kirby Yates (back) from the 15-day injured list and placed left-hander Blake Snell (personal) on the paternity list. Yates is returning after missing nearly a month with pain in his lower back. He went 4-3 with a 4.31 ERA, a 1.31 WHIP, 44:12 K:BB, 13 holds, and three saves in 31 1/3 innings before hitting the IL on July 29. The 38-year-old right-hander should step back into a setup role now that he's rejoining the Dodgers' bullpen. Snell, meanwhile, will not miss any starts while on paternity leave, as he'll only be away for up to three days. He threw seven innings of two-run ball in a 2-1 loss to the San Diego Padres on Friday. The two-time Cy Young winner has gone 3-2 with a 1.97 ERA, a 1.38 WHIP, and 30:15 K:BB over 32 innings in his first season with the Dodgers. He's scheduled to make his next start on Aug. 29 against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Kirby Yates (back) is expected to be activated from the injured list on Saturday. He has been out since the end of July with a lower back issue and is now on a rehab assignment. The 38-year-old is expected to make one more rehab appearance prior to his activation. With Tanner Scott (elbow) also on the way back, Yates may land in only a setup role when he returns. The veteran right-hander has three saves this year in 39 appearances, along with 13 holds, and a K/9 of 12.64 this year. He may vulture some saves down the stretch for the Dodgers and is mainly an option in leagues that reward saves and holds.

Los Angeles Dodgers relievers Tanner Scott (elbow) and Kirby Yates (back) each threw an inning during their rehab stints at Triple-A on Tuesday and could already be on the verge of returning to the majors. Asked if Scott or Yates would make another rehab appearance, manager Dave Roberts said, "probably not." That could set the pair up to return from the 15-day injured list during this weekend's series against the San Diego Padres, per Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register. The Dodgers have gone without Scott, their closer, since July 22 because of elbow inflammation. Yates, one of the Dodgers' top setup men, has been on the IL with lower-back pain since July 29.

Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitchers Tanner Scott (elbow) and Kirby Yates (back) are both expected to begin a rehab assignment in Triple-A Oklahoma City on Tuesday. Scott last pitched on July 21 before being placed on the 15-day injured list with left elbow inflammation, and Yates was also placed on the injured list with lower back pain after last pitching on July 26. The good news for both of them is that rehab assignments are typically much quicker for relievers, and both of them should see themselves back into high-leverage situations for the big league club before the end of the month. Scott is likely to be the one more in the mix for saves, as he has tallied 19 this year compared to Yates' three.

Los Angeles Dodgers relievers Tanner Scott (elbow) and Kirby Yates (back) will begin rehab assignments with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Tuesday. Scott has been on the 15-day injured list since July 22 with inflammation in his left elbow, while Yates has been on the shelf since July 29 with pain in his lower back. The Dodgers expect the two to return later this month, and they'll be glad to get both high-leverage relievers back for the last few weeks of the season as they battle the San Diego Padres for an NL West title. Fantasy managers should expect Scott to resume his role as the Dodgers' closer when he returns. Although Scott has had a relatively disappointing season, the Dodgers haven't found a better answer for the closer job in his absence. They have the majors' third-most blown saves (six) since the All-Star break.

Injured Los Angeles Dodgers relievers Michael Kopech (knee) and Kirby Yates (back) will throw live batting practice during the upcoming week, manager Dave Roberts announced. Kopech will face hitters on Monday, and Yates will follow him on Wednesday. The Dodgers have gone without Kopech since late June as a result of right-knee surgery. Yates, on the 15-day IL with pain in his lower back since July 29, seems closer to returning than Kopech. While Kopech will likely need to throw batting practice multiple times, Yates could go on a rehab assignment immediately if he gets through Wednesday without any issues. The reigning World Series champion Dodgers are hoping to get Kopech and Yates back later this month as they head toward another playoff berth.

Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Kirby Yates (back) is expected to return from the injured list in late August, according to manager Dave Roberts. Yates has been sidelined since last Saturday due to lower back pain. Right now there is no word of any bullpen sessions or a rehab assignment on the horizon. Despite that, it sounds like Yates could be back in a few weeks. The Dodgers will certainly welcome his return given their health problems in the bullpen right now. Yates could be worth a stash in deep leagues, but isn't someone that needs to be rostered.

The Los Angeles Dodgers placed right-handed reliever Kirby Yates (back) on the 15-day injured list with lower back pain on Friday. The team added a pair of right-handers, Brock Stewart and Paul Gervase, as well as outfielder Alex Call to its roster in corresponding moves. This continues a brutal run of injuries for LA's bullpen, which is also without closer Tanner Scott (elbow), Michael Kopech (knee), Evan Phillips, and Brusdar Graterol (shoulder). Yates previously spent time on the IL with a hamstring strain and has endured a disappointing season overall after joining the Dodgers on a one-year, $13 million contract in free agency. The 38-year-old has posted a middling 4.31 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP with 44:12 K:BB, 13 holds, and three saves in 31 1/3 innings. With a handful of LA's high-leverage relievers down, ... [More]

Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Kirby Yates recorded two outs against the Twins to close out the Dodgers' 5-2 win on Monday night. He entered with the bases loaded and got Kody Clemens out on a sacrifice fly before retiring Carlos Correa on a fly ball to end the game. He came in to replace Tanner Scott (forearm), who left with an arm issue that seems likely to land him on the injured list. Yates could be one of the Dodgers' top options to close games while Scott is out, although Blake Treinen (forearm) is also nearing a return and could get the call for some save situations as well. If Yates is available, he's definitely worth adding if you're looking for saves on the waiver wire while we see how the Scott situation settles out after Tuesday's MRI. Yates has 43 strikeouts in his 30 1/3 innings this year along with a 3.86 ERA and 3.82 FIP. He has 13 holds to go with his three saves, but Scott's injury could change his role going forward.

Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Kirby Yates earned his second save of the season in Monday's 6-3 home win against the San Diego Padres. With fellow bullpen arm Tanner Scott working the eighth inning, Yates was summoned in the ninth to protect the team's three-run lead and had little trouble doing so. He needed just ten pitches (nine strikes) to retire Jake Cronenworth (ground out), Jose Iglesias (line out), and Tyler Wade (pop out) in order. It was his first save in over a month. The Dodgers like to move around the pieces in the back of their bullpen, as seven different pitchers have notched a save. Yates, Scott, Blake Treinen, and Alex Vesia have each recorded two or more.

The Dodgers announced that they have activated right-handed relievers Kirby Yates (hamstring) and Michael Kopech (shoulder) from the injured list. In other moves, the team designated righty Chris Stratton for assignment and placed RHP Tony Gonsolin (elbow) on the 15-day IL with discomfort in his pitching elbow. Yates, whom the Dodgers signed to a one-year, $13 million contract in free agency, last pitched May 17. He was charged with a loss to the Los Angeles Angels in that game after yielding three earned runs in one-third of an inning. Overall, Yates has a 4.34 ERA (with a much more palatable 2.91 xERA) and 31:6 K:BB in 18 2/3 frames. The 38-year-old was a good source of holds before his injury, picking up eight, and may be a candidate for saves with lefty Tanner Scott off to a shaky start. Scott has blown five of his 16 save opportunities. Kopech, meanwhile, is finally in line to make his season debut after battling multiple injuries since the spring. He had forearm issues and then dealt with a shoulder impingement. The hard-throwing 29-year-old racked up 67 2/3 innings of 3.46 ERA ball with 88:34 K:BB between the White Sox and Dodgers last season.

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that right-handed relievers Kirby Yates (hamstring) and Michael Kopech (shoulder) both came out of their live bullpen sessions well, and there's a "good possibility this weekend of both guys being active." It's bad news for left-hander Tanner Scott, who has been struggling at the back end of L.A.'s bullpen with Yates banged up. Yates has been out since mid-May with a strained right hamstring but will skip a minor-league rehab assignment and could become Roberts' go-to ninth-inning option moving forward, even though he had an ERA over 4.00 with only one save in his 22 relief appearances before going on the IL. Kopech began the year sidelined with a right-forearm injury before injuring his shoulder. The 29-year-old has plenty of late-inning experience but will be eased into high-leverage work.

Los Angeles Dodgers right-handed reliever Kirby Yates (hamstring) is throwing off a bullpen mound at Dodger Stadium before Friday's series opener against the visiting New York Yankees, according to The Athletic's Fabian Ardaya. Yates was placed on the 15-day injured list on May 18 with a Grade 1 strain of his right hamstring. It's unclear if he'll return from the IL when eligible on June 2, but it's definitely good news that he's throwing off a mound again. With Yates on the shelf, left-hander Tanner Scott has been L.A.'s primary closer, but he's currently on the hot seat and recently blew the save and was hit with the loss on Wednesday against the Cleveland Guardians. The 38-year-old Yates hasn't been all that great in his first year with the Dodgers, though, sporting just one save, a 4.34 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 31:6 K:BB in 18 2/3 innings.

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.