Los Angeles Angels sign former Toronto Blue Jays closer

After signing former All-stars Jordan Romano and Alek Manoah to one year deals the Halos have now added one-time closer Kirby Yates into the mix.

The right-hander agreed to one year contract worth $5MM. It will be his second stint with the club, as he previously pitched one game for the club in 2017.

Jon Heyman of the New York Post was the first to report the deal.

In Yates, the Angels are getting a veteran arm with the ability to close out ball games.

Although he mainly served in a middle relief set-up role with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2025, Yates has experience as a closer.

Yates saved 33 games as a member of the Texas Rangers in 2024, and 41 while acting as closer for the San Diego Padres in 2019.

After breaking through with San Diego, Yates signed a one-year with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2021 to serve as their closer.

However, he never ended up pitching in a major league game for the bluebirds as he suffered a flexor strain in Spring Training and ultimately underwent the second Tommy John surgery of his career, causing him to miss the entire season.

He signed a two-year contract with the Atlanta Braves the following fall.

Yates was somewhat of a late bloomer, who didn't have his breakout season until age 30, and was elected to his first All-Star game in 2019 at the age of 32. He received his second nod in 2024.

While health has always been an issue for him, he is a good candidate to have a bounce back year after a horrendous season with the Dodgers.

Between Yates and fellow former closer Romano, the Angels are in good shape to have a strong 1-2 punch at the back end of their bullpen.