Kirby Yates’ career comes full circle with return to the Angels
TEMPE, Ariz. — Maybe the Angels will get it right with Kirby Yates this time. It’s easy to forget that Yates became a two-time All-Star closer only after the Angels designated him for assignment – twice – in 2017. There was little reason for anyone to put much faith in Yates back then. He was a journeyman on his third big-league organization and he hadn’t yet fully demonstrated the splitter that became his signature pitch. Now, Yates, 38, is back with the Angels on one-year, $5 million deal. He’s again looking to prove something, after a nightmarish injury-marred season with the Dodgers. Although he hasn’t even faced a hitter yet, he’s confident in where he stands. “My last three pens have...
