The Dodgers announced that they have placed right-hander Kirby Yates on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to September 21st, due to a right hamstring strain. That is the corresponding move for fellow righty Roki Sasaki to be reinstated from the IL, a move that was reported yesterday. Manager Dave Roberts previously passed the news along to reporters, including Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic.
Yates, 38, signed a one-year deal, $13MM deal with the Dodgers coming into the year. He was coming off an excellent 2024 season with the Rangers wherein he posted a 1.17 earned run average over 61 appearances.
Unfortunately, the Dodgers haven’t gotten anywhere near that level of production in 2025. Yates went on the IL in mid-May due to a right hamstring strain and missed about three weeks. He also missed about three weeks in August due to lower back pain, so this will be his third IL stint of the year. Around those IL trips, he has tossed 41 1/3 innings for the Dodgers with a 5.23 ERA. His 29.2% strikeout rate is actually quite good but he’s been undone by the long ball, having allowed nine this year.
In a sense, his poor results make this not a huge loss. Many people on the internet are even convinced it’s a phantom IL stint just to get him out of the way. But almost every member of the Dodger bullpen has been struggling lately. Dodger relievers have a collective 5.69 ERA in the month of September, which is better than just four clubs in the majors. With guys like Michael Kopech and Brock Stewart also having been placed on the IL lately, the club surely doesn’t want to be losing more arms, even the ones that are currently struggling.
The Dodgers have a good chance at winning the National League West but probably won’t be able to catch the Phillies for a first-round bye. They will likely have to play the Wild Card round without Yates. He could perhaps be reinstated for the NLDS but he would have to get healthy and give the Dodgers the impression he is worthy of a roster spot by then.
Photo courtesy of Kiyoshi Mio, Imagn Images
A short IL stint, a front row seat during the playoffs, a long ride off into the sunset.
Addition by subtraction
Throw him on the IL so it’s not obvious that he’s not going to make the post season roster
I’m grateful for this move.
Oh yes, the Dave a Roberts IL for pitchers. Seems to happen at just the right time!
Strained oblique from repeatedly coughing up leads.
I thought it was a neck injury from having to keep turning his head around.
it’s in a very quiet waiting area at a medical facility and I read your little post here and let me tell you loud sudden laughter what’s impossible to stop thank you I love it
gotta love it
Out in the first round
Get a team to root for, child.
Can I root for your team Sal?
Do something positive. Anything.
Tell me Sal, I’m just a child please.
“Out in the first round.”
This aged well.
Sheehan and Kershaw go to the postseason pen.
I can’t wait to see Roberts make intelligent decisions this October.
Is that sarcasm? Or did you not watch the last postseason?
Honestly curious.
Roberts got lucky last offseason because he’s still an idiot given the way he’s managed the pen this season.
You are in the minority in thinking he was just lucky last year in how he managed the pitching situation.
He’s done his best to give those guys every chance to show something and now it’s done. He said some things in the interviews last night and today that are much more direct and harsh regarding the bullpen guys. And I think it signals the end of giving those chances. Hence Yates going on the IL. We’ll see what happens moving forward in the next few days.
They’ve moved from encouraging to reality.
The old “if they lose he’s bad and if they win he’s lucky” BS. And it’s pure BS.
The Yankees had more to do with the Dodgers winning that series than Roberts did.
Darren
Freddie was the MVP for a reason. Robert’s did fine, but Freddie was the hero.
Dave Roberts is a future Hall of Fame manager and he will rightly deserve it. He has already punched his ticket and has many years of managing ahead of him if he chooses to do so.
“Around those IL trips, he has tossed 41 1/3 innings for the Dodgers with a 5.23 ERA.”
Fun fact: For the Yankees in 2016, Yates pitched 41 1/3 innings with, you guessed it, a 5.23 ERA.
That’s what you want in a reliever. Consistency.
…in mediocrity?
Consistency in not being on a postseason roster.
Poll
Phantom IL yes or no?
Proud Dodger fan, but Yes. I honestly wonder what the Mets did to get punished for DL fraud. Did the GM write an email with Subject: This guy’s not hurt LOL
“Did the GM write an email ”
Almost. According to news reports, an anonymous letter came to MLB from a Mets staffer.
Ohtani just led off the game with a phantom triple.
“They will likely have to play the wild card round without Yates”???
I’d think they’d be jumping for joy. I know I am.
Time to piggyback starters, it’s the only thing that can save us
Roki pitched a clean and dominant 8th. Might have something here…
actually the 7th and should also have been the 8th
Oops…[ imagine an embarrassed emoji here ] … Kershaw throws a 1-2-3 9th.
It’s more important to see how he recovers and comes back in tomorrows game against the Mariners. If his arm can handle bullpen works with minimal rest he will be a weapon.
WHAT.
A.
GAME.
Wrobleski can stay, too.
Can someone strain tanner scotts hamstring?
Good, now add Scott due to Niedenfuer Syndrome and Treinen with the yips to the IL and the Dogs will be good to go.
Still shudder every time ol’ Tom Niedenfuer’s name goes long. Still too soon.