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Kirby Yates is Primed for Second-Half Success
Los Angeles Angels relief pitcher Kirby Yates is quietly putting together a strong season in 2026. Through 25 appearances, Yates owns a 3.74 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, and a 28/8 K/BB ratio. His fantasy value has been limited because he has had only three saves on the season. The 39-year-old is likely to be on the move at the trade deadline. The Angels aren't contending and figure to flip Yates, who is a free agent after the season. A move elsewhere could provide Yates with increased save chances. Fantasy managers should keep an eye on what happens to Yates over the next few weeks.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Angels Fire Pro Scout for Filming Rockies Coaches
The Los Angeles Angels fired a pro scout who calls himself "The Baseball Spy" after filming Colorado Rockies coaches on his cell phone while working in the stands, according to Brittany Ghiroli and Sam Blum of The Athletic. The Angels had just hired Justin "Boomer" Prinstein last December. Scouts filming is generally considered a legal practice, but using technology to steal or decode signs is not allowed. The Rockies reported the incident to MLB, which alerted the Angels front office. Then-Angels general manager Perry Minasian fired Prinstein right away, according to multiple sources. It's believed that Prinstein acted on his own initiative and that the Angels won't face any punishment from MLB. Before his time with the Angels, Prinstein last worked for an MLB club in 2023 as an international scout with the Cincinnati Reds. At the time of his filming of the Rockies, Colorado was calling pitches from the dugout. "They can try," Rockies pitching coach Alon Leichman told The Athletic when asked in spring about teams attempting to steal signs. "It'd be absolutely hilarious if they tried."
Source: The Athletic - Brittany Ghiroli and Sam Blum
Source: The Athletic - Brittany Ghiroli and Sam Blum
Ryan Zeferjahn Earns Save for Angels, Emerging as Worthy Stash Option
Right-handed reliever Ryan Zeferjahn earned the save for the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday, allowing one run on one hit and no walks or strikeouts to convert his third save of the season in five opportunities. Zeferjahn allowed a solo home run to Riley Greene, but was able to avoid any additional damage. On the season, Zeferjahn has a 4-3 record, 3.91 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, three saves, and seven holds on the season; however, this was his first save since June 12. The underlying data supports Zeferjahn's campaign, evidenced by his 3.14 xERA and .160 xBA, and he has elite swing-and-miss stuff with a 34.2 percent whiff rate and 31.8 percent strikeout rate. His control, on the other hand, has been awful: 15.2 percent (fourth percentile). Zeferjahn's main competition for saves is Kirby Yates, who has converted on three of his six save opportunities and has a 3.74 ERA. Ironically, Jordan Romano, who was cut by the team months ago, still leads the team in saves with four. The Angels have only recorded 12 saves on the season, but as far as who is getting the next one, Zeferjahn is clearly in the mix with Yates. In deeper formats, if you are struggling for saves, Zeferjahn should be on your radar.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Kirby Yates Sees Struggles Continue on Friday, Takes Fifth Loss
Los Angeles Angels right-hander Kirby Yates racked up his third blown save and fifth loss of the season on Friday, allowing two earned runs in the ninth inning of his team's 2-1 loss to the Detroit Tigers. Across 21 2/3 innings in 2026, Yates has recorded a 0-5 record with a 3.74 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 28 strikeouts, and three saves. The veteran's underlying metrics are strong, as he's logged an impressive 30.8% strikeout rate with just an 8.8% walk rate. However, Yates' average fastball velocity is down to a career-worst 91.0 miles per hour. He's also run into some struggles in recent outings, allowing three earned runs over his last two innings pitched (three appearances). Yates remains the current closer to roster from the Angels. Still, fantasy managers may want to explore adding Angels right-handers Ryan Zeferjahn and/or Ben Joyce (shoulder) as potential replacement options.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Ben Joyce a Top Stash Option for Late-Season Saves?
Los Angeles Angels right-hander Ben Joyce (shoulder) has yet to pitch in the big leagues this season as he works his way back from the shoulder surgery that has kept him out since May 2025. However, the 25-year-old began a rehab assignment in the Arizona Complex League before the All-Star break, so he could be on track to return to the Angels bullpen before the end of July. Joyce struggled in a limited sample size of innings in 2025 before suffering the shoulder injury. Still, he was an effective reliever for the Angels in 2024, recording a 2.08 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP with 33 strikeouts and four saves across 34 2/3 innings. Joyce is known for his electric fastball, which he threw at an average velocity of 102.4 miles per hour in 2024. Los Angeles has had difficulty filling its closer role so far this season, with right-handers Ryan Zeferjahn, Kirby Yates, and Sam Bachman currently sharing ninth-inning duties. If Joyce can prove he is fully healthy, he could be the favorite for saves with the Angels upon his return to the big leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kirby Yates Bounces-Back to Earn Third Save, Still the Top Option in Los Angeles?
Los Angeles Angels relief pitcher Kirby Yates pitched a scoreless ninth inning on Friday to earn the save against the Minnesota Twins. The 39-year-old surrendered a one-out double to Trevor Larnach before retiring the final two batters of the game. The save was Yates' third of the season, and he has provided a stable presence in an otherwise unsettled Angels bullpen. On the year, he owns a 3.00 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP while posting a 32.6% strikeout rate and an 8.1% walk rate across 21 innings. Fantasy managers are encouraged to add Yates in all formats, as he is currently the Angels' most trusted option at the back end of the bullpen.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Kirby Yates Takes Fourth Loss, is he Falling Out of Angels Closer Committee?
Los Angeles Angels reliever Kirby Yates picked up his fourth loss of the season on Thursday, entering the contest with the game tied in the ninth inning and allowing two hits and one earned run in one-third of an inning. Yates now owns a solid 3.15 ERA and 1.00 WHIP on the season with two saves in four opportunities. Considering Yates has been sharp overall this season, and this was his first run allowed since June 8, he should remain the leader in the reliever room to pick up saves. Angels manager Kurt Suzuki appears to be committed to a closer for the most part, as evidenced by his selection of Jordan Romano as the closer earlier this season, even as Romano posted a 10.13 ERA in six save opportunities. At 39 years old, Yates may not be as sharp as he once was, but he appears to be the clear closer for the Angels at this time, as Ryan Zeferjahn appears to be his biggest competition, and he hasn't picked up a save since June 12, while Yates picked up his most recent save on June 27. The biggest downfall for Yates here is that the Angels have had only 27 save opportunities this season and are 37-57.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Kirby Yates a Deep-League Saves Target in Los Angeles?
Los Angeles Angels reliever Kirby Yates is still worth a look for saves, but this is not a clean closer situation. The 39-year-old has a 2.75 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, two saves, 28 strikeouts, and seven walks over 19 2/3 innings. His recent work has been sharp, with seven straight scoreless appearances, 11 strikeouts, and just three baserunners allowed over his last 6 1/3 innings. That gives him enough skills-based appeal to matter, even if the role is messy. The problem is the Angels are still treating the ninth inning like a committee. RotoBaller lists Yates as the team's current closer, but Sam Bachman and Ryan Zeferjahn remain direct threats, and Samy Natera Jr. logged the team's most recent save. Available in 94% of Yahoo leagues, Yates is a deeper-league add for managers chasing saves, not a safe closer.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kirby Yates Still an Option for Fantasy Managers Desperate for Saves
The Los Angeles Angels are near the bottom of the league in the standings and aren't the ideal place to search for saves, but veteran right-handed reliever Kirby Yates remains in the mix for saves in Anaheim and is an option off the waiver wire for desperate fantasy managers. The struggling Angels are currently employing a closer-by-committee that involves Yates, Sam Bachman, and Ryan Zeferjahn. Left-hander Samy Natera Jr. picked up the team's most recent save on Sunday, but Yates had his second save of the year before that on Saturday, June 27. The 39-year-old is a two-time All-Star and is by far the Angels' most experienced reliever when it comes to saves, with an even 100 saves in his 11-plus years in the big leagues. He's gone 0-3 in 2026 with a 3.06 ERA (3.28 FIP), 0.96 WHIP, two saves, 25 strikeouts, and seven walks in 17 2/3 innings. Yates' numbers are pretty solid, but save opportunities in Anaheim have been few and far between. In 10 1/3 innings in June, Yates allowed just four runs (three earned) while walking three and fanning 15 with three losses, a save, and a blown save. He's rostered in 6% of Yahoo leagues, so he's widely available if you're scrounging for saves near the halfway point in 2026.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Angels Turn to Sam Bachman for First Save, a Name to Monitor in Open Committee?
The Los Angeles Angels' closing situation has been a revolving door in 2026, but Sam Bachman received his opportunity on Sunday and delivered. He tossed a clean inning, needing only 11 pitches and tossing nine of them for strikes. Although this was Bachman's first save of the season, he has had three opportunities, and now the Angels have nine pitchers who have recorded a save opportunity. This season, Bachman has been sharp, with a 3.63 ERA (3.30 xERA), 1.21 WHIP, and elite fastball velocity (97th percentile). His stuff remains high-end, as evidenced by his whiff rate (33.6 percent) and strikeout rate (24.3 percent), but his control is at times inconsistent (11.8 percent). At this point, Bachman should be considered nothing more than a speculation add for fantasy managers, as we don't have much of a track record to suggest Bachman will take over, as this was his second career save and the Angels have not been consistent whatsoever with their bullpen, but Bachman is one to keep an eye on in deeper leagues where saves are scarece, especially if we start to notice a trend of him getting more opportunities.
Source: Baseball Savant
Source: Baseball Savant
Is Kirby Yates Still the Closer to Roster in Los Angeles?
Los Angeles Angels right-handed pitcher Kirby Yates remains a speculative waiver-wire option for fantasy managers chasing saves, but the role is not completely stable. Over 13 1/3 innings, the 39-year-old has one save, a 4.05 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, and 17 strikeouts. The season-long ratios are not ideal, but Yates has settled down recently with three straight scoreless appearances, allowing no hits and one walk while striking out four over three innings. The main issue is role clarity. Ryan Zeferjahn and Sam Bachman remain part of the late-inning picture, and Zeferjahn recently earned his second save of the season on June 12. Still, Yates has the most closing experience in the group and remains firmly in the mix if Los Angeles continues rotating ninth-inning chances. At 28% rostered on Yahoo, he is a reasonable short-term pickup for fantasy managers who need saves and can tolerate some bullpen uncertainty.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ryan Zeferjahn Earns Save for Angels, Worth Picking Up in Deeper Leagues?
Los Angeles Angels right-hander Ryan Zeferjahn picked up his second save of 2026 on Friday, recording the final out of his team's 4-3 win over the Tampa Bay Rays. Zeferjahn's season-long numbers don't jump off the page, as he's pitched to a 5.06 ERA and 1.41 WHIP with 41 strikeouts across 32 innings (27 games). However, the 28-year-old is averaging 97.5 miles per hour on his fastball and has struck out 27.9% of the batters he's faced this season. The Angels have also begun to trust Zeferjahn in high-leverage roles, as he's appeared in the seventh inning or later in all six of his appearances in June and has allowed just one earned run in that span. In an underwhelming Angels bullpen, Zeferjahn may be the highest-upside option if he can bring down his 17% walk rate to a more respectable figure. For deep-league managers in desperate need of saves, Zeferjahn could be worth targeting on the waiver wire.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Ryan Zeferjahn Emerging as a Sneaky Stash Candidate in Angels Bullpen
Across 30 2/3 innings (25 games) so far this season, Los Angeles Angels right-hander Ryan Zeferjahn has pitched to a 5.28 ERA and 1.40 WHIP with 38 strikeouts and one save. While the 28-year-old's top-line numbers are ugly, he's averaging 97.4 miles per hour on his fastball and has struck out 27% of the batters he's faced. His xERA is 3.92, and his strand rate is a below-average 64.7%, so he may be a victim of some poor luck. Perhaps most importantly for fantasy managers, Zeferjahn may be the leading candidate in the Angels bullpen to assume the closer role from the struggling Kirby Yates. Yates has pitched the ninth inning in eight straight appearances, and in that stretch, he's blown two saves and suffered two losses while allowing four earned runs. Zeferjahn's profile comes with some risk, but he might be the highest-upside reliever in an Angels bullpen that has struggled mightily to fill the closer role in 2026. In deeper fantasy leagues, managers may want to take a chance on Zeferjahn on the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kirby Yates Blows Another Save Opportunity, Will He Fall Into a Closer Committee?
Los Angeles Angels relief pitcher Kirby Yates couldn't hold on to a one-run lead against the Astros on Monday night, and his team went on to lose in extra innings. To start the inning, Yates walked Jeremy Pena, who stole second and scored on a single by Christian Walker. While he didn't take the loss on Monday, Yates' ERA climbed to 5.23 on the season, and he has allowed a run in three of his last four appearances. The Angels don't have many proven options in the bullpen, or Yates may have already been in a committee, but if they do look to go a different direction, Sam Bachman has been very effective as a setup man. Yates still will likely get save chances for the Angels, but he'll need to turn things around soon if he doesn't want to lose his job. It's hard to have much confidence in him at this point, and better options may be available on your league's waiver wire.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Kirby Yates Loses Second Game, Will He Lose Save Opportunities?
Los Angeles Angels right-hander Kirby Yates was tagged for his second loss of the season on Friday night, entering a 0-0 game in the bottom of the ninth and allowing a walk-off solo home run to Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman. The veteran Yates has been the Angels' preferred option in the ninth inning in recent weeks after recording his first save of the year on May 23. However, Yates has posted a 4.82 ERA and 1.29 WHIP over 9 1/3 innings (11 games) this year. He also owns a 1.93 HR/9 after being tagged for a 1.96 HR/9 across 41 1/3 innings in 2025, and his average fastball velocity has dipped to a career-worst 90.6 miles per hour. Yates has 99 career saves, and the Angels don't exactly have an obvious replacement for him in the closer role. Still, fantasy managers should proceed with caution if relying on Yates for saves.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
