Having a tremendous amount of talent already on the roster doesn’t seem to be stopping the Los Angeles Dodgers from adding even more.
After already striking a deal with free-agent left-handed reliever Tanner Scott earlier in the week, the Dodgers are finalizing a deal with right-handed reliever Kirby Yates, an official with knowledge of the agreement told USA TODAY Sports.
The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the deal is pending a physical and not yet official.
Yates, a two-time All-Star, rebuilt his career after missing the entire 2021 season and part of 2022 recovering from elbow surgery. Now 37 years old, he posted a 1.17 ERA with 33 saves for the Texas Rangers last season.
Yates led the major leagues in saves in 2019 as a member of the San Diego Padres, but suffered an elbow injury in the shortened 2020 season that required Tommy John surgery.
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He pitched just 11 ⅓ innings from 2019 through 2022 before returning to his pre-injury form as a setup man with the Atlanta Braves in 2023.
After signing a one-year deal with the Rangers, Yates thrived in his return to the closer role — earning his second All-Star selection while converting 33 of 34 save chances and holding opponents to a .113 batting average over 61 2/3 innings.
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