Kirby Yates: Everything you need to know

Yates struck out one in a perfect inning to earn the save in Saturday's 5-2 win over the Rangers. Yates was the early favorite for saves, but a knee injury kept him out until early May. The right-hander was eased back into action in low-leverage spots, and the Angels' overall poor performance has led to limited opportunities to close. Yates squandered his first chance at a save Wednesday versus the Athletics, but he bounced back with a scoreless outing and Thursday before getting the save Saturday. He's pitched to a 4.26 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 9:3 K:BB through 6.1 innings this season. Ryan Zeferjahn is the only other pitcher on the roster to have a save for the Angels in 2026 -- Jordan Romano had four before he was designated for assignment in late April. Yates is likely the lead candidate for saves moving forward thanks to his past experience as a closer, though he could face increased competition once Ben Joyce (shoulder) is ready to make his season debut.

Yates was charged with a blown save after retiring two batters and allowing one run on one hit and one walk in Wednesday's 6-5 extra-inning loss to the Athletics. Upon being activated May 5 following a season-opening stint on the injured list due to left knee inflammation, Yates was deployed in lower-leverage spots for each of his first four appearances with the Angels. After the veteran right-hander tossed a pair of clean innings while striking out four of the six batters he faced over his last two outings, manager Kurt Suzuki felt comfortable turning to Yates on Wednesday to protect a one-run lead in the top of the ninth inning. Yates immediately squandered the opportunity, serving up a leadoff home run to Jeff McNeil to tie the game. He was able to induce a groundout and then struck out Lawrence Butler, but Yates was pulled from the game after putting two more runners on via a walk and hit batsmen. Though the Angels' closer situation remains unsettled, Yates' poor showing Wednesday could hurt his case for seeing another save chance anytime soon.

The Angels reinstated Yates (knee) from the 15-day injured list Tuesday. Yates has spent the first five-plus weeks of the season on the shelf due to left knee inflammation, but he's ready to join the Angels after a four-outing rehab assignment. The veteran right-hander surrendered seven runs in his first three rehab appearances but bounced back with a scoreless frame in his final outing. Yates should be in the mix at closer for the Angels, especially since Jordan Romano was cut loose in late April.