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.
Texas Rangers closer Kirby Yates secured his 24th save of the season in Wednesday afternoon's resumption of Tuesday night's suspended game against the hosting Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field. Yates induced a groundout from Brooks Baldwin for the final out of Wednesday's win over Chicago, earning the save with two strikeouts and working around a walk in a scoreless ninth inning as the Rangers won the game 3-1. The 37-year-old veteran right-hander hasn't looked back after taking over as Texas' closer in favor of Jose Leclerc during the first month of the campaign, registering a 1.25 ERA, 0.85 WHIP, and 73:23 K:BB while converting 24 of his 25 save opportunities in 2024. He's been one of fantasy's best additions off waiver wires this year.
Texas Rangers closer Kirby Yates picked up his 22nd save of the season in Monday's 4-3 win over the Pirates. Yates came in to pitch the top of the ninth inning up by one and delivered a 1-2-3 inning with two strikeouts. The 37-year-old has had a resurgent fantasy season, converting all but one save opportunity with a 1.33 ERA, a 12.93 K/9 rate, and a 4.18 BB/9 rate in 47 1/3 innings of work. The Rangers have not been as dominant as they were last season, but they have been playing better lately and Yates appears to have a firm grasp on the closer's role. Fantasy managers should feel comfortable with him in their lineups unless anything drastic changes.
Texas Rangers closer Kirby Yates continued his strong season with a two-out save against the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday. The veteran didn't open the inning, but came in to relieve Josh Sborz with one out and got Gavin Sheets to strikeout before Eloy Jimenez flew out to give Yates his 18th save and the Rangers their 49th victory. Yates has been great for the Rangers this season with a 1.22 ERA and there is no reason to think that he will not continue to operate as one of the best closers in the league this season as he has a 1.74 xERA to backup his success.
Kirby Yates Earns 16th Save Of The Season For Rangers
Texas Rangers closer Kirby Yates picked up his 16th save of the season, giving up a run in the ninth inning but holding on to a three-run lead. The 37-year-old has been lights out for most of this season with a 1.05 ERA and 0.90 WHIP this season. The right-hander has been a big boon to fantasy managers who used an early waiver-wire claim for his services. He will look to continue his dominant run in the second half of the season.
Texas Rangers closer Kirby Yates needed just five pitches to secure his 15th save of the season in Saturday's 2-1 extra-inning win over the Astros. The 37-year-old got Jose Altuve and Alex Bregman to pop out on one pitch apiece, Yordan Alvarez was intentionally walked, and then Yainer Diaz struck out on three pitches to end the game. Yates is having a fantastic season, recording 15 saves with zero blown saves while posting a 0.81 ERA, 0.87 WHIP, and a 24.2% K-BB%.
Texas Rangers closer Kirby Yates picked up his 13th save of the season in Saturday's 4-3 win over the Rays. Yates faced only three batters and needed just 10 pitches to get through the frame. It was his second consecutive day with a save so his availability for Sunday is unclear. Nevertheless, Yates has been fantastic this season, posting a 0.86 ERA, 0.86 WHIP, and a 14:43 BB:K across 31 1/3 IP with two holds to go along with his 13 saves.
Texas Rangers relief pitcher Kirby Yates managed to secure his eighth save of the season in Tuesday's 4-2 win over the Diamondbacks. Yates came in to pitch the top of the ninth inning up by two. He got the first two outs on a ground-out and strikeout, allowed a walk and a single, and ended the game with another strikeout. The 37-year-old veteran has pitched very well this season, converting all of his save opportunities with a 0.90 ERA, an 11.25 K/9 rate, and a 4.50 BB/9 rate. However, he has only seen one-third of the team's save opportunities in May with three. This is frustrating from a fantasy perspective, as he has clearly been the best performer. Hopefully, this will translate into a more commanding lead over the closer's role.
Texas Rangers relief pitcher Kirby Yates closed out the Detroit Tigers on Thursday in a 9-7 win. Yates got the final four outs of this one, allowing just a hit while striking out one. It was the 37-year-old's second save of the season, with his first coming on Monday. He has been used as Texas' highest-leverage pitcher for the past few weeks and is likely to continue in that role, which will presumably give him the best chance at saves in the Rangers bullpen. He should be added in any leagues where saves matter.
Kirby Yates Earns Save Monday, Could Be Rangers' New Closer
Texas Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said that the team will still keep things open in the closer role, but with the way right-hander Kirby Yates is throwing the ball right now, "we kind of like where it's at." In the 1-0 win over the Detroit Tigers on Monday, Yates tossed a perfect inning with no hits allowed, no walks and no strikeouts to pick up his first save of the season. The 37-year-old veteran hasn't allowed a run yet in 2024 in six relief appearances while walking one and striking out five in six innings of work. Meanwhile, Jose Leclerc has surrendered eight earned runs on seven hits (one homer) while walking seven and fanning six in six innings. Nothing is official yet, but fantasy managers that are chasing saves should run to the waiver wire to pick up Yates right away.
