Cobb Reporter

The Atlanta Braves have signed right-handed reliever Kirby Yates to a two-year, $8.25 million contract, the team announced Jan. 3.

"He led the majors in saves in 2019 when he had 41 for the San Diego Padres," team officials said. "He had a career-best 1.19 ERA that season in 60⅔ innings pitched."

Yates will earn $1 million in 2022 and $6 million in 2023. The contract has a $5.75 million team option for the 2024 season that includes a $1.25 million buyout.

Yates joins a highly-regarded Braves' bullpen that includes closer Will Smith, Tyler Matzek, A.J. Minter and Luke Jackson.

Yates signed with the Toronto Blue Jays in January but did not pitch for the team this season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in March. It was Yates' second time undergoing the operation. He led the majors in saves in 2019 when he had 41 for the San Diego Padres. In that season, he scored his career-best 1.19 ERA in 60⅔ innings pitched. 

In the 2020 season that got shortened owing to the pandemic, Yates pitched only 4⅓ innings for San Diego. After that, he underwent surgery in August in his right elbow to remove bone chips. Prior to his arm issues, Yates had undoubtedly established himself as one of the best relievers in baseball. The Braves also signed a minor-league deal with 39-year-old right-hander Darren O'Day. Darren has previously been very effective for the Braves, but since then, he has battled injuries.