Kirby Yates had played 517 games but never started one in 12 MLB seasons before Saturday, Sept. 26. For most of the baseball world, the game was an occasion to celebrate the final start of Justin Verlander's career; the future Hall of Famer announced earlier this year that the 2026 season would be his last. Although the public didn't know it yet, the first career start for Yates was also his last.
After he threw 1.2 scoreless innings against the Tigers at Comerica Park, Yates told reporters in Detroit that he is retiring. The decision was hardly surprising. Yates, whose eldest child is 8, told MLB.com earlier this month he wanted to spend more time with his family.
"They want Dad home as much as they possibly can," he told Aiden Stepansky. "So, I think we're getting to a point where we've had conversations before; it kind of hits you different when they tell you they'd rather have you home. So as a father, when you hear that it kind of gets you pretty good in the heart.
"And there's decisions to make here in the near future. I'm pretty positive in what I'm gonna do.” More news: Astros, Rangers Ensure AL West Will Make Embarrassing MLB History In 46 games for the Angels and Pirates this season, Yates went 2-5 with a 3.19 ERA and three saves. He retires with a 32-29 record, 3.35 ERA and 101 saves after wearing the uniform of eight teams: the Angels, Pirates, Tampa Bay Rays, Los Angeles Dodgers, Texas Rangers, San Diego Padres, Atlanta Braves, and New York Yankees.
Yates made two All-Star Game appearances in his career. Verlander, 43, received a heartwarming sendoff from the home crowd in Detroit. His daughter even came out of the stands to hug him on the mound in the sixth inning after he threw his final pitch.
More news: Phillies Suddenly Have Reason to Worry After Third Straight Loss Yates' teammates gave him a good sendoff too. Catcher Henry Davis handed him the game ball. The Pirates' infielders hugged him on the mound.
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