Breaking News:Just In Atlanta Braves confirm the departure of another star

The Texas Rangers have reportedly reached an agreement on a one-year deal with right-hander Kirby Yates, pending a physical. The financial details of the deal are not publicly disclosed, but sources suggest it is expected to be around $4.5 million, according to Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News. Yates, a client of the Beverly Hills Sports Council, is set to bolster the Rangers’ bullpen for the upcoming season.

Yates, 37 years old in March, experienced a resurgence in 2023 after battling elbow injuries that limited him to just 11 1/3 innings over the 2020-2022 seasons, culminating in Tommy John surgery in March 2021. Despite concerns about his health, he made an impressive 61 appearances in 2023, registering a 3.28 earned run average. While his strikeout rate remained strong at 31.5%, a notable 14.6% walk rate raised some questions about his control. The combination of a low batting average on balls in play (.211) and a high strand rate (85.4%) contributed to his success, although his 4.63 FIP and 3.90 SIERA suggested a more cautious evaluation of his performance.

Yates, who was let go by the Atlanta Braves with a $1.25 million buyout instead of a $5.75 million club option for 2024, showcased his prowess in earlier years. In 2018, he posted an impressive 2.14 ERA with the San Diego Padres, and in 2019, his ERA dropped to 1.19 while accumulating 41 saves. While acknowledging that Yates may not return to his peak form, given his age, his 93.6 mph fastball velocity in 2023 demonstrated a significant recovery from his pre-injury levels.

Despite winning the World Series in 2023, the Rangers identified their bullpen as an area for improvement, ranking 24th in the league with a collective ERA of 4.77. With midseason acquisitions Aroldis Chapman and Chris Stratton entering free agency, along with one-year signee Will Smith, Yates is seen as a valuable addition to address the bullpen’s shortcomings and contribute to the team’s success in the upcoming season.