ATLANTA, GEORGIA - OCTOBER 09: Kirby Yates #22 of the Atlanta Braves pitches in the fifth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies during Game Two of the Division Series at Truist Park on October 09, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) Getty
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - SEPTEMBER 13: Kirby Yates #22 of the Atlanta Braves reacts after defeating the Philadelphia Phillies to clinch the NL East at Citizens Bank Park on September 13, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) Getty
DETROIT, MI - SEPTEMBER 26: Kirby Yates #54 of the Pittsburgh Pirates acknowledges his teammates and the fans as he leaves the game in the second inning of a game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on September 26, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) Getty
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - SEPTEMBER 10: Kirby Yates #22 of the Atlanta Braves pitches during the ninth inning against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on September 10, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) Getty
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - SEPTEMBER 18: Kirby Yates #39 of the San Diego Padres throws a pitch during the ninth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on September 18, 2019 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) Getty
Former Atlanta Braves right-handed pitcher Kirby Yates announced his retirement on Saturday after pitching for the Pittsburgh Pirates in a 4-3 loss to the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park in Detroit.
Yates pitched for the Braves in the 2022 and 2023 seasons.
GettyATLANTA, GEORGIA – OCTOBER 09: Kirby Yates #22 of the Atlanta Braves pitches in the fifth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies during Game Two of the Division Series at Truist Park on October 09, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Yates recorded five outs, including a strikeout, for Pittsburgh as an opener on Saturday.
"It was good, but this was it …" Yates told reporters after the game ( link via SportsNet Pittsburgh). "I don't have anything left. Let's put it that way. I've been running on fumes for a while. I think it's just time. It's felt like it's been time for a little while now. I think I've given this game everything I have, and in return, it's given me more than I can ever thank it for or imagine."
GettyPHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – SEPTEMBER 13: Kirby Yates #22 of the Atlanta Braves reacts after defeating the Philadelphia Phillies to clinch the NL East at Citizens Bank Park on September 13, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
Yates, 39, signed a minor-league deal with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2009 as an undrafted free agent. He didn't reach the majors until 2014.
Yates pitched for the Rays through the 2015 season. After that, he pitched for the New York Yankees (2016), Los Angeles Angels (2017 & 2026), San Diego Padres (2017-20), Braves (2022-23), Texas Rangers (2024), Los Angeles Dodgers (2025) and Pirates (2026).
GettyDETROIT, MI – SEPTEMBER 26: Kirby Yates #54 of the Pittsburgh Pirates acknowledges his teammates and the fans as he leaves the game in the second inning of a game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on September 26, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)
Yates signed a two-year deal with the Braves after the 2021 season, which he missed due to undergoing Tommy John surgery.
The right-hander made just nine appearances with Atlanta in 2022. In 2023, he posted a 3.28 ERA with 80 strikeouts over 60 1/3 innings for the Braves. He threw a scoreless inning for Atlanta in the 2023 postseason.
GettySEATTLE, WASHINGTON – SEPTEMBER 10: Kirby Yates #22 of the Atlanta Braves pitches during the ninth inning against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on September 10, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Yates made two All-Star teams during his career.
He represented the Padres in the 2019 Fall Classic. He posted a 1.19 ERA with 90 strikeouts and 41 saves over 60 2/3 innings that season.
GettyMILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – SEPTEMBER 18: Kirby Yates #39 of the San Diego Padres throws a pitch during the ninth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on September 18, 2019 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Yates earned his second All-Star honor as a member of the Rangers in 2024. He recorded a 1.17 ERA with 85 strikeouts and 33 saves over 61 2/3 innings that season.
Throughout his 12-year career, Yates posted a 3.36 ERA with 101 saves and 671 strikeouts over 493 1/3 innings.
This article was originally published on HEAVY
The post Former Atlanta Braves Player Announces Retirement After 12 MLB Seasons appeared first on HEAVY .
