Angels sign ex-Yankees, Braves, Padres reliever to one-year deal

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Angels sign ex-Yankees, Braves, Padres reliever to one-year deal originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

It's been nearly 10 years since right-handed reliever Kirby Yates pitched for the New York Yankees. He made 41 appearances out of the bullpen in 2016 and had a 5.23 ERA.

Yates has bounced around MLB since then, playing with five different teams, including one game with the Los Angeles Angels in 2017.

After a rough one-year stint with the Los Angeles Dodgers, the 38-year-old will return to the Angels on a one-year deal worth $5 million, according to Ari Alexander of 7News. A hamstring strain in September concluded his season with the Dodgers.

The Angels are staying busy while the Yankees remain quiet

The Yankees have made one bullpen decision this offseason, selecting Cade Winquest in the Rule 5 Draft from the St. Louis Cardinals. Though Ryan Yarbrough could end up in the bullpen, he may start the season in the rotation.

Meanwhile, the Angels have signed Yates, Jordan Romano, and Drew Pomeranz to bolster their bullpen. Could Yates have been a valuable option for New York?

At Yates' advanced age in professional baseball, he may not have been what the Yankees seek this winter. He throws a four-seam fastball and splitter, and the Yankees could prefer hurlers with more velocity and high ground ball rates.