MARCH 22, 2021 • THESTAR.COM
KIRBY YATES #39 - PITCHER - TEXAS RANGERS
7-2 W-L •
0.83 WHIP •
1.17 ERA
7-2 W-L
0.83 WHIP
1.17 ERA
Blue Jays lose closer Kirby Yates for ‘multiple weeks’ with arm injury Without Yates — signed as a free agent for one year at $5.5 million (U.S.) — the Jays could rely on a closer-by-committee with Jordan Romano...
Set to miss time with arm injury Yates said Monday that he expects to miss multiple weeks after he was diagnosed with a flexor pronator strain in his right arm, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
Impact The injury is an unfortunate break for Yates, who was believed to be back to 100 percent at spring training after requiring a procedure last year to address bone chips in his elbow. The fact that he's now dealing with another arm injury is troubling, and the Blue Jays aren't expected to provide a concrete timeline for his return until the team evaluates him further. Jordan Romano and Rafael Dolis become the most likely candidates to pick up saves for Toronto to begin the season, after Yates had looked to be locked in as the team's closer upon signing a one-year, $5.5 million deal over the winter.
MARCH 22, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
All but confirmed as closer Yates will make his second appearance of the spring Saturday against the Phillies, and Blue Jays pitching coach Pete Walker described the ninth inning as "his job to lose," Mark Fe...
Impact The team has held off naming one of its big offseason acquisitions as the closer, but with Yates looking healthy in his first spring action, an official announcement should come before camp breaks. The right-hander, who turns 34 next week, is looking to bounce back from a 2020 season cut short by bone spurs in his elbow, but Yates at his best is among the best relievers in baseball, as he racked up 53 saves with a 1.67 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 191:30 K:BB over 123.2 innings for the Padres in 2018-19.
MARCH 20, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Tatis Jr., Padres make baseball fun again in San Diego
Baseball is fun again in San Diego, where the Padres are heading into one of their most anticipated seasons everMARCH 17, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Springer, Semien add veteran presence to Jays' young core
The Toronto Blue Jays were already loaded with young talent when they spent big this winter to add outfielder George Springer and infielder Marcus Semien, a pair of playoff-tested...MARCH 17, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Latest on Pearson, Stripling | 03/12/2021 The impact of Nate Pearson's injury, Ross Stripling's role and Kirby Yates' impact on the bullpen | Daily Bases with Keegan Matheson
MARCH 12, 2021 • MLB.COM
Why Blue Jays reliever Kirby Yates is eager to embrace the role of mentor “That’s what he’s doing right now, he’s offering advice. He’s been great in the clubhouse,” manager Charlie Montoyo said of Yates.
MARCH 11, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM
Catching up with Kirby Yates | 03/02/2021 Kirby Yates joins MLB Network's 30 Clubs in 30 Days to discuss Spring Training and his first impression of the Blue Jays
MARCH 10, 2021 • MLB.COM
Expected to debut Thursday Yates is expected to make his spring debut against the Tigers on Thursday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Impact Yates missed most of the 2020 season due to bone chips in his right elbow, but he signed with Toronto in January and feels fully healthy early in spring training. "I feel like it's behind me. I feel like it's ready to move on. It's full go," Yates told Rob Longley of the Toronto Sun. Although the Blue Jays haven't yet named a closer for the 2021 campaign, Yates is the favorite for the role given his past success in the ninth inning.
MARCH 10, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Spring debut likely coming soon Yates is expected to make his Blue Jays debut at some point later this week, Scott Mitchell of TSN.ca reports.
Impact Since Yates is coming off fall surgery to remove bone chips from his elbow, the Blue Jays have been proceeding slowly with the reliever this spring, but he's thus far steered clear of any setbacks in his throwing program. The right-hander has reportedly looked good in his recent bullpen and live batting practice sessions, and he should soon get the opportunity to pitch in the Grapefruit League. Toronto has yet to name a closer, but Yates' solid track record in the ninth inning coupled with his $5.5 million salary make him the favorite for the role.
MARCH 8, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Catching up with Kirby Yates | 03/02/2021 Kirby Yates joins MLB Network's 30 Clubs in 30 Games series to discuss Spring Training and his impression of the Blue Jays
MARCH 2, 2021 • MLB.COM
SS Bo Bichette has big expectations for upgraded Blue Jays
Shortstop Bo Bichette has big expectations for the upgraded Toronto Blue JaysFEBRUARY 22, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
AP source: Blue Jays' 1st 2 homestands in Dunedin, Florida
The Toronto Blue Jays will begin the season at their spring training facility in Dunedin, FloridaFEBRUARY 18, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Panik agrees to minor league deal with Blue Jays
The busy Toronto Blue Jays have agreed to a minor league contract to keep second baseman Joe Panik, The 30-year-old hitFEBRUARY 12, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
AL East teams at the start of spring training
A team-by-team look at the American League East entering spring training, including key players each club acquired and lost, and dates of the first workout for pitchers and catcher...FEBRUARY 11, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
David Phelps agrees to $1.75M deal with Blue Jays
Right-hander David Phelps and the Toronto Blue Jays have agreed to a $1.75 million, one-year contractFEBRUARY 11, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
NL West teams at the start of spring training
A team-by-team look at the National League West entering spring training, including key players each club acquired and lost, and dates of the first workout for pitchers and catcher...FEBRUARY 11, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Semien completes $18M deal with big-spending Blue Jays
Infielder Marcus Semien and the Toronto Blue Jays completed their $18 million, one-year contractJANUARY 30, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Mets trade LHP Steven Matz to Blue Jays for 3 young arms
In a deal between two of baseball’s busiest teams this winter, the New York Mets have traded left-hander Steven Matz to the Toronto Blue Jays for three young pitchersJANUARY 28, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Springer, Blue Jays finalize $150M, 6-year contract
All-Star outfielder George Springer has finalized his $150 million, six-year contract with the Toronto Blue Jays, becoming the most prominent free agent to reach an agreement this...JANUARY 23, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Throwing bullpens Yates has completed his rehab process following August elbow surgery and has already thrown a series of bullpens, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Impact If the Blue Jays are getting the same guy Yates was before last season, when he threw just 4.1 innings with a 12.46 ERA before being shut down due to bone chips in his elbow, they could be getting the best reliever in the league. From 2018 to 2019, no qualified reliever came within half a run of his 1.67 ERA, while he also topped that group in FIP (1.93). He comes with plenty of risk due to his surgery and the fact that he's heading into his age-34 season, but the fact that he's already advanced to bullpen sessions is certainly a good sign.
JANUARY 22, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Blue Jays finalize deals with RHPs Yates, Chatwood
The Toronto Blue Jays have finalized a $5.5 million, one-year contract with right-hander Kirby Yates and a $3 million, one-year deal with right-hander Tyler ChatwoodJANUARY 21, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
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 ChatwoodJANUARY 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
