Kirby Yates Makes First Career Start, Then Retires After 12 MLB Seasons
Kirby Yates, 39, will open a bullpen game and becomes the first Pirates pitcher in the Modern Era to start after 517 relief appearances.
- On Saturday, 39-year-old Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Kirby Yates made his first career start against Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander at Comerica Park, marking the final game for both players.
- Yates requested the start from Pirates manager Don Kelly to cap his 12-year big league career, ending a 517-appearance streak—the longest for a Pirates pitcher in the Modern Era.
- "I got pretty nervous pretty quickly," Yates said, comparing the experience to pitching in a rain delay. The veteran posted a 2.03 ERA over 14 outings with Pittsburgh before confirming his retirement.
- After pitching 1 2/3 innings, Yates shook hands with plate umpire Laz Diaz and teammates while leaving the field. The game marked the third time both starting pitchers made their final regular-season appearance together.
- Yates finishes with 101 saves and a 32-29 record across eight teams during his 12-year career. Verlander departs for Cooperstown, ending a storied career that will enshrine him in the Baseball Hall of Fame.
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Kirby Yates Has 1st Career Start for Pirates in Possible Final Game
In what could be the final game of his MLB career, Pittsburgh Pirates reliever Kirby Yates is making his first career start on Saturday. Yates, 39, is considering retiring after this season. After pitching in MLB since 2014 and making 517 career relief appearances, Yates will make his first career start when he opens for […]
Relevista Kirby Yates, who has been twice All-Star, retired after performing the first opening of his career on Saturday after 12 years in the Major Leagues.
MLB
BVM Sports USYates does a personal first and helps make MLB history in 518th and final appearance
DETROIT -- Kirby Yates took two steps backward off the mound, tipped his cap and kissed his glove as a final goodbye. The 39-year-old Yates came a long way from an undrafted JUCO pitcher. In this moment, Yates was exiting on his own terms with an ovation from the opposing
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