The Los Angeles Dodgers made a notable roster move on Saturday, activating veteran reliever Kirby Yates from the injured list while placing Blake Snell on the paternity list.
Yates, 38, has not pitched since July 26 while dealing with lower back pain, his second stint on the shelf this season after a hamstring issue sidelined him in May. His return comes at a pivotal moment for a bullpen still searching for stability in the late innings.
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The right-hander’s season has been uneven, marked by flashes of dominance and stretches of vulnerability. Across 31.1 innings, Yates has posted a 4.31 ERA, a sharp contrast from his remarkable 1.17 ERA in 2024 with Texas — a season that earned him All-Star recognition and even an eighth-place finish in Cy Young voting.
After coming back from the hamstring injury earlier this year, Yates put together a strong 10-game stretch with a 2.35 ERA. But his rhythm unraveled quickly; over his last seven appearances before landing on the IL again, he was tagged for a 7.20 ERA in just five innings.
Even so, the Dodgers believe his 32.8% strikeout rate offers reason for optimism. If he can rediscover his form from last season, he immediately changes the complexion of a bullpen that has leaned heavily on Blake Treinen and rookie Ben Casparius in high-leverage spots.
Snell Steps Away
Yates’ activation coincides with Snell’s placement on the paternity list. The left-hander departed immediately after Friday’s loss to the Padres to be with his wife, who is expected to give birth soon.
Under MLB rules, the paternity list allows players to miss up to three days without costing their teams a roster spot. For the Dodgers, the timing is less than ideal, as Snell had been looking more like his Cy Young self. Since returning from a four-month absence, he’s rattled off a 1.96 ERA with 26 strikeouts and seven walks across his last four starts.
Division Race Intensifies
The moves come as the Dodgers remain in a dogfight atop the NL West, now tied with the Padres after dropping the series opener at Petco Park. Their offense mustered only three hits in the loss, putting even greater pressure on the pitching staff to hold the line in the weeks ahead.
With Snell briefly away and Yates freshly activated, the Dodgers will be counting on the veteran reliever’s experience to help stabilize a staff that has been hit hard by injuries and inconsistency throughout the summer.