The Los Angeles Dodgers face another setback in their quest for a 12th NL West title in 13 years as veteran reliever Kirby Yates sustained a hamstring injury during a game against the Angels. Yates exited with tightness in his right hamstring, which could likely send him to the injured list according to manager Dave Roberts. In a surprising turn, the Dodgers lost 11-9, resulting in a series defeat to the Angels. Before this outing, Yates had shown promise with a 2.95 ERA but saw his ERA rise to 4.34 after allowing three runs in Saturday's game.

The Dodgers are already grappling with a long injury list, including key pitchers Evan Phillips, Michael Kopech, and Blake Treinen. Yates’s recovery will be critical as the team looks to maintain its push towards the postseason. Yates has had a storied career with a 3.22 ERA and an impressive 8.8 bWAR since 2014, including a standout season last year with the Texas Rangers, where he recorded a career-high 1.17 ERA.

Adolis García launched a two-run walk-off home run, securing a thrilling 4-3 victory for the Texas Rangers against the Los Angeles Dodgers, who saw their four-game winning streak come to an end. This game marked a significant moment for the Rangers, who are now two games ahead in the AL West.

García's decisive hit came off a 93.3 mph fastball from Dodgers reliever Kirby Yates, following a leadoff double by Josh Smith. The Rangers manager, Bruce Bochy, hailed García's performance, emphasizing the importance of clutch hitting, particularly in a tight game where the team had solid pitching but faced difficulties in securing wins. Despite a strong outing from Nathan Eovaldi, who allowed three runs, he did not receive a decision. The highlight for the Dodgers was Freddie Freeman's two-run homer, which had given them a brief lead before the Rangers rallied.

Los Angeles Dodgers' Alejandro Osuna is making waves this spring, boasting an impressive .429/.480/.619 slash line in 21 at-bats during the Cactus League. Highlighting his aggressive play, Osuna continues to impress, even after being thrown out while attempting a steal against Kirby Yates, a former All-Star closer. Meanwhile, Yates, despite allowing three singles in his inning of work, managed to keep the Dodgers scoreless. Robby Ahlstrom has also caught attention for the Texas Rangers, pitching four scoreless innings in the spring while Jack Leiter shows confidence with an improved strike-throwing percentage of 70.2% this spring, reducing his walk rate significantly.

Kirby Yates has signed a one-year contract with the Dodgers worth $13 million, including a $3 million signing bonus. The deal, announced on January 30, includes performance bonuses that could net Yates an additional $100,000 based on his relief appearances this season. The 37-year-old left-hander had a remarkable season last year with Texas, boasting a 1.17 ERA and 33 saves, and hopes to replicate that success with Los Angeles.

Yates has established himself as a reliable closer with 95 saves over his career, including a standout 2019 with the Padres where he led MLB with 41 saves and recorded a 1.19 ERA. As he approaches his 15th MLB season, Yates will look to contribute significantly to the Dodgers' bullpen.

Ryan Brasier has officially been traded from the Los Angeles Dodgers to the Chicago Cubs, marking the end of his tenure with the team. This decision came after the 37-year-old reliever was designated for assignment, a move necessary to clear roster space for newly signed Kirby Yates. The Dodgers had been actively seeking trade opportunities for Brasier before finalizing the deal with the Cubs.

In the 2024 season, Brasier posted a 3.54 ERA but struggled with injuries, missing significant time due to a calf issue. The Dodgers will also provide cash considerations to the Cubs to help offset Brasier's $4.5 million salary for the upcoming season. In return, the Dodgers will either receive a player to be named later or additional cash considerations, making this a strategic move in reshaping their bullpen.

During his two seasons with the Dodgers, Brasier recorded an impressive 1.89 ERA, including a remarkable 0.70 ERA in 39 appearances throughout 2023, earning him a two-year contract extension. However, with the recent additions of Yates and left-hander Tanner Scott, Brasier found himself in a crowded bullpen, leading to this trade.