Blue Jays sign Kirby Yates

The Toronto Blue Jays have agreed to terms with RHP Kirby Yates on a one-year contract (US $5,500,000).

Yates, 33, made six appearances for the San Diego Padres in the shortened 2020 season, before being sidelined with right elbow inflammation in August and for the remainder of the schedule. The 5-10, 205 lb. right-hander recorded an MLB-high 41 saves in 2019, posting a 1.19 ERA and being named an All-Star for the first time. The native of Lihue, HI, has been utilized exclusively as a reliever during seven years in the Majors with the Rays, Yankees, Angels, and Padres and holds a 3.54 ERA with 400 strikeouts across 282.1 innings of work.