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Angels’ Kirby Yates moving closer to return

April 5, 2026

ANAHEIM — Right-hander Kirby Yates continues to work on mechanical fine-tuning and expects to get a better understanding of a timetable for his return from the injured list this week.

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

“It will give you a gauge on where your stuff’s at and what they’re seeing,” Yates said Sunday. “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.”

Yates signed a one-year, $5 million contract to return to the Angels after making one appearance for the club in 2017. He was designated for assignment by the Angels that season and claimed off waivers from the San Diego Padres.

While in San Diego, Yates leaned into his sinker, and his career blossomed, delivering a 2.55 ERA over 192 appearances in four years. The best season of his career came with the Padres in 2019, when he had 41 saves and a 1.19 ERA while making the first of two career All-Star appearances.

Yates was solid in brief stretches for the Dodgers last season but spent three different stints on the injured list and did not appear in a postseason game.

Back again with pitching coach Mike Maddux, Yates hopes to deliver the same kind of season the duo crafted in 2024 with the Texas Rangers. Yates had 33 saves that year and a 1.17 ERA in 61 appearances.

After the second bullpen session of his rehab program this week, Yates reported improvement but is still trying to iron out mechanical issues.

“I think it’s more of a feeling for me, knowing how the ball is supposed to come out of my hand,” Yates said. “I don’t think we’re a crazy way away (from a return), or anything like that. It’s just how quickly you can get to where you’re comfortable going back out there and getting big outs for your team.”

Yates played catch before Sunday’s game and wanted to work on his release point.

“I got some things in my head right now, and I hope it kind of clicks,” he said.

The Angels’ bullpen had been one of the best in baseball in the early part of the season. Entering Sunday’s play, the relievers had a 2.25 ERA over 32 innings, fifth best in baseball.

GROWTH PROCESS

Angels first base and outfield coach Adam Eaton had a unique perspective on Jo Adell’s wildly successful night of defense Saturday, and not because he was in the dugout to witness it.

Eaton’s brief stint as a player with the Angels came in 2021 as Adell was trying to break into the major leagues but was struggling to make an impact both offensively and defensively.

Adell has found his way with the bat, hitting 57 home runs over the previous two seasons, and his three home-run-robbing catches Saturday show that his defense is doing just fine as well.

“Joe has a place in my heart, because I was here when he was a young buck, and I wasn’t playing every day,” said Eaton, who is in his first season as a coach for the Angels. “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.

“… You can work as hard as you want, you can enjoy the game as much as you want but it doesn’t always turn into success. But to have the opportunities and make something of them is pretty cool to watch. I’ve had a great seat for it.”

EXCHANGE RATE

To get right-hander George Klassen on the active roster for his major league debut, the Angels designated left-hander Joey Lucchesi for assignment.

Luchessi, who was signed just before Opening Day, had a 7.71 ERA in three appearances (2⅓ innings) in an Angels uniform.

NOTES

Jeimer Candelario made his third start of the season and second at third base. Adam Frazier was at second base making just his second start of the season after making one last Sunday at Houston. … After hitting 10 home runs over their first five games, the Angels hit one over their next four games, two of which were home contests. “They have to keep getting better. They understand that,” manager Kurt Suzuki said. “At the same time, I love the way they’re going about it and they’re battling in their at-bats.”

UP NEXT

Braves (LHP Chris Sale, 2-0, 0.75 ERA) at Angels (RHP Jose Siriano, 2-0, 0.00 ERA), Monday 6:38 p.m., FanDuel Sports Network, 830 AM, 1330 AM

Orange County Register

News Details

Angels’ Kirby Yates moving closer to return

GROWTH PROCESS

EXCHANGE RATE

NOTES

UP NEXT

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