KIRBY YATES NEWS

Blue Jays agree to deals with Kirby Yates, Tyler Chatwood

A person familiar with the negotiations says the Toronto Blue Jays have agreed to contracts with free agent pitchers Kirby Yates and Tyler Chatwood

JANUARY 20, 2021 • Associated Press

Signs with Blue Jays Yates (elbow) signed with the Blue Jays on Tuesday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Impact According to Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca, the deal has $5.5 million guaranteed with up to $4.5 million in performance bonuses. Yates made a strong case as the league's best reliever in 2019, finishing with a 1.19 ERA and 41 saves while striking out 41.6 percent of opposing batters and walking just 5.3 percent. His 2020 season was a huge disappointment, as he struggled through six appearances, giving up six runs in 4.1 innings, before being shut down with bone chips in his elbow. The upside here is huge for the Blue Jays, who may have just locked down one of the game's top closers, but a full rebound can't be taken for granted in the righty's age-34 season.

JANUARY 19, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

MRI reveals bone chips Yates' MRI on his right elbow revealed bone chips Saturday, Dennis Lin of The Athletic reports.

Impact Yates was placed on the injured list earlier in the day with what was originally referred to as right elbow inflammation. The updated diagnosis could presumably lead to a lengthy absence, though his timeline won't come into focus until he receives a second opinion Monday. Drew Pomeranz should be the primary closer in Yates' absence.

AUGUST 16, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Kirby Yates (elbow inflammation) to IL The Padres placed right-handed pitcher Kirby Yates on the 10-day injured list with right elbow inflammation and recalled right-handed pitche...

AUGUST 15, 2020 • MLB.COM

Heading to IL Yates was placed on the 10-day IL on Saturday with right elbow inflammation.

Impact Yates left Friday's outing against the Diamondbacks after just six pitches and will now get at least 10 days to rest and recover. He has given up at least one run in four of his six appearances this season as this issue may have come about earlier than Friday. Yates is scheduled to undergo further tests on his elbow Saturday which should officially determine the severity of the injury and the length of his absence. Drew Pomeranz figures to immediately step in as the closer for the Padres and should be added across most fantasy formats.

AUGUST 15, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Padres blew opportunity to trade Kirby Yates With Kirby Yates recent injury news and impending free-agent status, the Padres likely missed out on trading him for assets. Kirby Yates is...

AUGUST 15, 2020 • FRIARSONBASE.COM

SD closer Yates to undergo MRI on elbow Padres right-hander Kirby Yates will undergo an MRI on his right elbow after exiting Friday's 5-1 loss to the D-backs at Chase Field in the...

AUGUST 15, 2020 • MLB.COM

Slated to undergo MRI Yates is dealing with discomfort in the back of his elbow and is scheduled to undergo an MRI, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Impact Yates exited Friday's loss against the Diamondbacks after throwing just six pitches, and his MRI should help provide a better idea of the severity of the injury. Yates has struggled to begin the season with a 12.46 ERA and 2.54 WHIP over 4.1 innings.

AUGUST 15, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Kelly, Calhoun lead Diamondbacks past Padres 5-1

Merrill Kelly pitched shutout ball into the seventh inning, Kole Calhoun added a solo homer and a run-scoring single, and the Arizona Diamondbacks pulled away late to beat the San...

AUGUST 15, 2020 • Associated Press

Leaves game with trainer Yates (undisclosed) left Friday's game with a trainer after throwing just six pitches, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Impact Yates had dealt with soreness over the past week but entered in the eighth inning of Friday's game against the Diamondbacks. He struck out one batter with six pitches, but he then exited the game with a trainer due to an apparent injury. The nature and severity of the issue are unclear, but it's certainly a discouraging development for the right-hander since he missed time prior to Friday.

AUGUST 15, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Nursing 'soreness' but still closer Manager Jayce Tingler said after Monday's game that Yates has "soreness in his body," AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports. However, Tingler said there's still a "great chance [Yates]'l...

Impact Drew Pomeranz got the save chance Monday and shut the door on the Dodgers on 12 pitches to earn his third save of the season. Yates struggled in his first few appearances, though there was no mention of an injury at the time, with the right-hander pointing instead to some mechanical issues. Apparently Yates is ailing a bit after all, and Tingler said they're "not going to push it," but if the skipper is to be taken at his word, it's not something that's a threat to push Yates to the IL.

AUGUST 11, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Rays hold Yankees to 2 hits in 1-0 win

AUGUST 8, 2020 • Associated Press

Earns second save of season Yates notched his second save of the season Friday against the Diamondbacks. He pitched a scoreless inning, allowing one hit and fanning one.

Impact Yates allowed a single to Starling Marte, who advanced to second on a throwing effort from the Padres' closer. Yates would close the door with a pop out and a liner to first, and as a result, he earned his second save of the campaign. It was only the second time in five outings this season in which Yates didn't allow a run.

AUGUST 8, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Padres beat Dbacks 3-0 behind Davies, three solo homers

Zach Davies retired the first 13 Arizona batters, Fernando Tatis Jr hit a leadoff homer and rookies Jake Cronenworth and Edward Olivares also went deep to give the San Diego Padres...

AUGUST 8, 2020 • Associated Press

Earns save against Dodgers Yates earned the save Monday against the Dodgers. He gave up one run -- on a solo home run -- while striking out three across one inning.

Impact Yates entered the ninth inning with a two-run lead and gave up a solo homer to Cody Bellinger, but he settled down after that and struck out the three next batters he faced to close the game out. This was Yates' first save of the season, but he is enduring a tough start to the campaign with five runs allowed in 3.1 innings across four appearances.

AUGUST 4, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Cronenworth, Paddack help Padres beat Dodgers 5-4

San Diego rookie Jake Cronenworth singled home the go-ahead run in the sixth inning for the Padres, who hit three solo home runs off Walker Buehler and beat the Los Angeles Dodgers...

AUGUST 4, 2020 • Associated Press

Mets beat Braves 7-2; Atlanta ace Soroka tears Achilles

AUGUST 4, 2020 • Associated Press

San Diego Padres: Kirby Yates Off to Slow Start in 2020 The San Diego Padres are off to a hot start in 2020, but their lights out closer from 2019 has been ice cold to start the year. A lot of tal...

AUGUST 1, 2020 • FRIARSONBASE.COM

Identifies mechanical adjustments Yates has noted mechanical adjustments he can make on the mound and remains confident in his ability despite a slow start to the season, Annie Heilbrunn of The San Diego Union-Trib...

Impact Yates was one of MLB's most dominant closers last season, compiling 41 saves in 44 chances while registering a minuscule 1.19 ERA and 0.89 WHIP. Things have gone much differently for the right-hander thus far in 2020, as he has been pulled mid-inning twice and given up four earned runs over 2.1 innings of work. Manager Jayce Tingler indicated that Yates will remain the closer after he nearly blew the save Friday night, though Drew Pomeranz was called upon to get the final out and earn his second save of the campaign. It makes sense for fantasy managers to hold onto Yates as long as he continues to get save opportunities, but it wouldn't be a bad idea to take a look at Pomeranz as well since he appears next in line for closer duties if Yates is ultimately removed from the role.

AUGUST 1, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Pulled from save situation Yates gave up two runs on three hits and two walks in two-thirds of an innings before he was pulled from Friday's game against the Rockies.

Impact Called upon to protect an 8-5 lead, Yates retired two of the first three batters he faced but could not buy an out from there. Colorado went single, infield single, walk, walk against Yates with two gone in the inning before manager Jayce Tingler pulled him. Lefty Drew Pomeranz bailed Yates and the team out and Pomeranz has now secured two saves this week, but Tingler said after the game that Yates would get the ball in the next save chance.

AUGUST 1, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Picks up one-out save Pomeranz notched a one-out save against the Rockies on Friday.

Impact Pomeranz came into the game due to Kirby Yates' struggles, and he earned the save when he induced a Chris Owings flyout to center. The left-hander has not given up a run in five appearances this season, posting a 7:1 K:BB with two saves and two holds. He should remain one of the most important arms in the Padres bullpen this year, and he would be the first in line to take over the closer role if Yates' struggles continue.

AUGUST 1, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Pham, Tatis homer in 9th, Padres rally, beat Rockies 8-7

Tommy Pham hit a three-run homer in the ninth after Fernando Tatis Jr. tied it with two outs and the San Diego Padres rallied for an 8-7 win over Colorado to spoil the Rockies’ hom...

AUGUST 1, 2020 • Associated Press

Judge homers again, Yankees roll past Red Sox 5-1

AUGUST 1, 2020 • Associated Press

Picks up win in relief Johnson (1-0) pitched 1.1 innings, allowing one hit and striking out one to earn the win versus the Giants on Thursday.

Impact Johnson got the last out of the eighth inning in relief of Emilio Pagan, and then added a scoreless ninth. The Padres exploded for six runs in the tenth, making Johnson the pitcher of record. The 29-year-old right-hander typically serves a depth role in the Padres' bullpen -- it's unlikely he'll be in the mix for even spot saves with a relief corps headlined by closer Kirby Yates.

JULY 31, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Tatis Jr., Myers hit home runs as Padres beat Giants 5-3

Fernando Tatis Jr. hit a three-run homer in the third, Wil Myers added a two-run drive an inning later and the San Diego Padres spoiled San Francisco’s home opener by beating the G...

JULY 29, 2020 • Associated Press