Right-hander Kirby Yates announced his retirement following the Pittsburgh Pirates’ 4-3 loss to the Detroit Tigers on Saturday.
“I don’t have anything left. Let’s put it that way,” Yates said after the game. “I’ve been running on fumes for a while, and I think it’s just time and it’s felt like it’s been time for a little while now.”
Yates made the first start of his major league career Saturday, working 1 2/3 scoreless innings while allowing two hits and striking out one.
Yates played 12 seasons in the major leagues with the Tampa Bay Rays (2014-15), New York Yankees (2016), Los Angeles Angels (2017, 2026), San Diego Padres (2017-20), Atlanta Braves (2022-23), Texas Rangers (2024), Los Angeles Dodgers (2025) and Pittsburgh Pirates (2026).
For his career, the veteran appeared in 518 games, recording 101 saves and 672 strikeouts with a 3.35 ERA and 1.14 WHIP.
His best season came in 2019 with the Padres, when he led the majors with 41 saves and posted a 1.19 ERA.
Yates earned his second All-Star selection in 2024 with the Rangers, posting 33 saves and a career-best 1.17 ERA.
The 39-year-old began the 2026 campaign with the Angels. He was traded to the Pirates in August.
