Angels' Kirby Yates Moving Closer to Return

Sidelined by left knee inflammation, Yates is scheduled to face hitters Tuesday as he works through mechanical adjustments ahead of his return.

Apr. 5, 2026 at 9:10pm

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Right-hander Kirby Yates, who started the season on the injured list with left knee inflammation, is continuing to work on mechanical fine-tuning and expects to get a better understanding of a timetable for his return when he faces hitters during his next throwing session from a mound on Tuesday.

Why it matters

Yates signed a one-year, $5 million contract to return to the Angels after a successful stint with the San Diego Padres, where he became an All-Star closer. His return will be a boost to an Angels bullpen that has been one of the best in baseball early in the season.

The details

Yates, who made one appearance for the Angels in 2017 before being designated for assignment, has been working on mechanical adjustments as he recovers from left knee inflammation. He is scheduled to face hitters on Tuesday, which he says will give him a better gauge on where his stuff is at and what hitters are seeing. Yates is trying to iron out the mechanical issues he's been dealing with in his rehab program.

  • Yates started the season on the injured list with left knee inflammation.
  • Yates will face hitters during his next throwing session from a mound on Tuesday.

The players

Kirby Yates

A right-handed pitcher who signed a one-year, $5 million contract to return to the Angels after a successful stint with the San Diego Padres, where he became an All-Star closer.

Adam Eaton

The Angels' first base and outfield coach, who had a brief stint as a player with the Angels and has witnessed the growth of outfielder Joe Adell.

Joe Adell

An Angels outfielder who has found success at the plate, hitting 57 home runs over the previous two seasons, and has also shown impressive defensive skills, including three home-run-robbing catches in a recent game.

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What they’re saying

“It will give you a gauge on where your stuff's at and what they're seeing. The batter is always the best evaluator. They're telling you how your stuff is. So the plan is to get in front of some hitters and see where we're at.”

— Kirby Yates, Angels Pitcher

“Joe has a place in my heart, because I was here when he was a young buck, and I wasn't playing every day. So to be able to work with him a little bit then and then, to be able to come back and see his growth, who he is as a person, he's always the same steady guy.”

— Adam Eaton, Angels First Base and Outfield Coach

What’s next

Yates will face hitters during his next throwing session from a mound on Tuesday, which will give him a better understanding of a timetable for his return.

The takeaway

Yates' return to the Angels' bullpen will be a significant boost, as the team's relievers have been one of the best in baseball early in the season. His successful stint with the Padres, where he became an All-Star closer, has raised expectations for his impact on the Angels' pitching staff.