Kirby Yates makes first career start, then retires after 12 MLB seasons

DETROIT (AP) — Reliever Kirby Yates announced his retirement on Saturday after 12 years in Major League Baseball. The 39-year-old, who went undrafted out of junior college, made his first start this season, marking the end of his storied career. Pitching 1 2/3 innings for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Yates was the third pitcher alongside a retiring starting pitcher in the same game, with Hall of Famers Christy Mathewson and Mordecai Brown achieving this feat in 1916, and Paul Derringer and Vern Kennedy doing so in 1945.

Yates led the majors with 41 saves in 2019 while playing for the San Diego Padres and concluded his career with 32-29 record and 101 saves in 12 years. He played for various teams including the Rays, Yankees, Angels, Padres, Braves, Rangers, Dodgers, and Pirates.