ANAHEIM — The numbers can paint a much better picture of Kirby Yates’ season than one that most Angels fans – or even Yates – would describe.
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The veteran right-handed reliever has a 3.55 ERA and 32 strikeouts in 25⅓ innings. In a vacuum, those numbers would suggest a successful season.
“They’re fine,” Yates said of his numbers. “The overall picture is not great. I kind of look at it as have I helped the team win more than I’ve helped them lose? I don’t know if that’s the case.”
Yates has allowed only 10 earned runs, but just about all of them have been at the worst moments. He’s suffered five losses and he’s blown three saves. One of the blown saves was also a loss. He’s entered 12 games that were either tied or the Angels led by three or fewer runs, and in seven of those he’s blown the lead or taken a loss.
The Angels have dropped Yates down their list of high-leverage pitchers, instead using younger pitchers like Ryan Zeferjahn, Chase Silseth, Sam Bachman and Samy Natera Jr. when the game is on the line.
The question of Yates’ value remains relevant, though, because he’s pitching on an expiring contract and the trade deadline is coming on Monday. He is exactly the kind of pitcher who often gets traded, even when he’s not having such a great season.
In 2024, the Angels’ traded middling right-handed reliever Luis Garcia to the Boston Red Sox for four minor leaguers, including Zeferjahn.
Is there a team out there that might want Yates for the modest return it would take to get him?
“It’s hard to know how other teams evaluate you,” Yates said. “I evaluate myself on a daily basis, but my opinion’s probably different than theirs. Good or bad.”
Lately Yates has wavered even on how he’s evaluated himself. He suffered a loss and a blown save in consecutive outings in early June, knocking him from the closer job. After that, he ran off a 10-game stretch in which he didn’t allow an earned run and he struck out 15 in 9⅓ innings.
Then he had a couple more rough outings when entering in a tie game or with a one-run lead. Since then he’s mostly been used in mop-up duty.
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“When I got out there some days I feel like ‘alright, I’m going to be pretty good today,’ and I get swings and misses and I strike guys out,” Yates said. “And other days I go out there and sometimes I don’t feel like I belong on the field. That’s just a part of it. It’s just a thought of getting older and having to deal with certain things that I don’t think you necessarily have control over every day.”
Yates is 39 and in his 12th season in the majors. He signed a one-year, $5 million deal to pitch for the Angels this season. It remains to be seen what will be waiting for him over the winter.
Does he want to keep going?
“I’m sure I’ll make a decision at some point,” Yates said. “The hard part is the kids are getting older and all that comes into play. It really boils down to what do I think I’ll be capable of next year and if I want to. I’ve always said if I’m not going to be a late-inning guy, a back-end guy, I’m not going to play anymore. I just don’t see the point.”
MANOAH RELEASED
The Angels released right-hander Alek Manoah on Wednesday, a day after he walked six batters and hit two in his latest nightmare outing at Triple-A.
Manoah had a 16.14 ERA in 10 games at Triple-A, walking 42 in 30⅔ innings. His fastball averaged 89 mph.
Manoah was an All-Star in 2022, but since then injuries sunk his career. He was let go by the Toronto Blue Jays and Atlanta Braves last season, so the Angels took a flier on him with a $1.95 million deal. He pitched in three major league games, allowing nine runs and walking eight in 7⅓ innings.
NOTES
Travis d’Arnaud was scheduled to catch for a second straight night at Class-A Rancho Cucamonga on Wednesday night. It would be d’Arnaud’s eighth minor league rehab game, including six at Triple-A. …
Milwaukee Brewers sensation Jacob Misiorowski is scheduled to pitch against the Angels on Sunday. Walbert Ureña will start for the Angels in a 12:15 p.m. game, which will air on Peacock.
UP NEXT
Brewers (LHP Shane Drohan, 5-4, 3.51 ERA) at Angels (RHP Ryan Johnson, 2-5, 7.34 ERA), Friday, 6:38 p.m., ABTV, 830 AM
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