Blue Jays finalize deals with RHPs Yates, Chatwood

TORONTO (AP) — The Blue Jays finalized a $5.5 million, one-year contract with right-hander Kirby Yates and a $3 million, one-year deal with right-hander Tyler Chatwood.

Yates, who turns 34 on March 25, is coming off surgery in August to remove bone chips from his right elbow. He led the major leagues in saves in 2019 with 41 for San Diego and earned a place on the National League All-Star team. Slowed by elbow soreness, he had two saves in six games with a 12.46 ERA during last year’s pandemic-shortened season. Yates earned $2,615,741 prorated from a salary of $7,062,500 last year.

He can earn $4.5 million in performance bonuses based on relief appearances: $750,000 each for 20, 25, 30 and 35; $125,000 apiece for 40, 45 and 50; $250,000 each for 55, 60, and 65; and $375,000 for 70.

Chatwood, 31, went 2-2 with a 5.30 ERA in five starts with the Chicago Cubs last year. He earned $4,814,815 prorated from a $13 million salary. He missed most of 2014 and all of 2015 following Tommy John surgery.

He can earn $2.5 million in performance bonuses bases on innings: $125,000 each for 40, 50, 55 and 60; $250,000 apiece for 85 and 100; and $500,000 each for 120, 130 and 140.

Toronto is coming off a season when it made its first playoff appearance since 2016. The Blue Jays were eliminated in the first postseason round by eventual AL champion Tampa Bay.

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