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Dominant 2019 Padres closer announces retirement

Veteran relief pitcher Kirby Yates has officially decided to end his twelve-year professional playing career. Over the course of his time in the major leagues, the right-hander suited up for nine different franchises, compiling a career earned run average of 3.35 across 518 appearances and surpassing the milestone of one hundred saves.

While he experienced solid stretches across multiple stops, his peak performance occurred during a standout 2019 campaign with San Diego. That year, he led all relievers while earning down-ballot Cy Young votes, posting an impressive 1.19 earned run average, a 0.89 WHIP, and forty-one saves.

His career trajectory was later interrupted by elbow trouble and subsequent Tommy John surgery in 2020, though he managed to bounce back for a strong 2024 season with Texas before ultimately retiring.

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