Kirby Yates Retires After 12-Year MLB Career
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The former Padres All-Star announced his retirement following his first career start with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Kirby Yates has officially retired from Major League Baseball, as Sports Illustrated first reported. The 39-year-old announced his departure on Saturday following a 4-3 loss by the Pittsburgh Pirates to the Detroit Tigers.
Yates ended his career in an unconventional manner, making the first start of his professional life against the Tigers, where he pitched 1.2 scoreless innings. According to Sports Illustrated, Yates had previously admitted earlier in the month that retirement was under serious consideration due to a shoulder injury and a desire to be home with his family.
Over a 12-year career, Yates established himself as a premier relief pitcher, most notably with the San Diego Padres. After being claimed off waivers in April 2017, he recorded 56 saves in 192 appearances for San Diego between 2017 and 2020. His 2019 campaign saw him lead the National League with 41 saves and a 1.19 ERA, earning him an All-Star selection and Cy Young Award support. Sports Illustrated notes he was the first Padres reliever to lead the majors in saves since Trevor Hoffman in 1998.
Despite undergoing Tommy John surgery after an elbow injury ended his 2020 season, Yates returned to play five more seasons. He earned a second All-Star selection with the Texas Rangers in 2024, followed by a stint with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2025 and a tenure with the Angels in 2026. He retires with 101 career saves and two All-Star nods.