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Former Padres All-Star Closer Signs With Texas Rangers

Originally posted on FanNation Inside The Padres
By Matt Levine | Last updated 12/5/23

Former San Diego Padres All-Star closer Kirby Yates has agreed to a deal to join the Texas Rangers. It is a one-year contract, and Texas adds to their already strong bullpen. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic was first to report the news.

Free-agent reliever Kirby Yates in agreement with Rangers on one-year contract, pending physical, source tells @TheAthletic.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 5, 2023

Yates spent three and a half years with the Padres, making the All-Star team in 2019. During that season, Yates posted an ERA of 1.19 over 60 games.

The veteran was a reliable member of the Padres’ bullpen during his time with the team. His time in San Diego was cut short unfortunately due to injury, though.

He spent the past two seasons with the Atlanta Braves, posting an ERA of 3.28 over 61 games played in 2023. Yates is a solid addition to an already good Rangers bullpen, and now he will get another chance to compete for a title.

The veteran reliever has a career ERA of 3.53 over nine seasons in the league and will be a solid piece to the Rangers’ title defense. We wish Kirby nothing but good luck next season with the Rangers.

This article first appeared on FanNation Inside The Padres and was syndicated with permission.

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