Tampa Bay Rays After going undrafted in the
2009 MLB draft, Yates signed with the
Tampa Bay Rays as an amateur free agent on June 22, 2009, and began his professional career with the
Princeton Rays of the
Appalachian League. In 2010, he spent most of the season with the
Bowling Green Hot Rods of the
Midwest League, where he was 3–6 record with a 3.30 ERA in 27 games (12 starts). He was promoted to the
Charlotte Stone Crabs of the
Florida State League on August 12, but made only one start before he was shut down for the year with a strained right shoulder that required offseason surgery. The surgery caused him to also miss the first two months of the 2011 season before rehabbing in the
Gulf Coast League and then rejoining Charlotte on June 22. He was also selected as the Rays organizations Minor League Relief Pitcher of the Year while recording 16 saves. and made 21 appearances for Durham, allowing only one run in 25 innings. pitching scoreless innings against the
Seattle Mariners with two strikeouts (his first being against
Brad Miller). In 37 games, he posted an ERA of 3.75 in 36 innings, striking out 42. The following season he struggled, posting an ERA of 7.97 in innings for the Major League club
New York Yankees On November 25, 2015, the Rays traded Yates to the
Cleveland Indians for cash considerations. He was subsequently designated for assignment on January 5, 2016, and three days later traded to the
New York Yankees in exchange for cash considerations. Yates made the Yankees'
Opening Day roster in 2016 and pitched in relief for the Yankees for most of the season, although he was optioned to
Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on June 28, and then recalled on August 17. In 41 games for the Yankees, he posted an ERA of 5.23 and 50 strikeouts in innings. He was designated for assignment on April 2, 2017, after failing to secure a spot in the Angels bullpen during spring training, and he was outrighted from the 40-man roster and sent to the Triple-A
Salt Lake Bees on April 5. After six games in the minors, Yates made his Angels debut as a reliever on April 22 against the
Toronto Blue Jays and allowed a two-run home run to
Kevin Pillar before retiring the next three batters he faced. He was designated for assignment the next day.
San Diego Padres On April 26, 2017, Yates was claimed off waivers by the
San Diego Padres. He excelled relieving for the Padres, striking out 87 in innings and going 4–5 with a 3.72 ERA in 61 games. In 2018, Yates began the season as the setup man to closer
Brad Hand. He briefly went to the disabled list in early April with an ankle injury, but returned after two weeks. At the trade deadline, the Padres traded Hand, thus handing over the closer role to Yates. He ended the season with a career low 2.14 ERA in 65 appearances and was 12 for 13 in save opportunities with 90 strikeouts in 63 innings. In 2019, Yates was selected as the Padres' sole representative at the
All-Star Game. For the season, he led all major league pitchers in saves, with 41. He also recorded a 1.19 ERA and struck out 101 batters in innings Yates made six appearances during the
pandemic shortened 2020 season, allowing six runs in innings before he was shut down because of bone chips in his elbow.
Toronto Blue Jays On January 20, 2021, Yates signed a one-year, $5.5 million contract with the
Toronto Blue Jays. However, on March 22, he was diagnosed with a flexor strain and he underwent a second Tommy John surgery on March 24, ending his season.
Atlanta Braves On November 29, 2021, Yates signed a two-year, $8.25 million contract with the
Atlanta Braves. On July 16, 2022, he pitched a perfect inning in the
Florida Complex League, his first game at any level since August 2020. Yates was activated off of the injured list on August 10 and allowed four runs in seven innings in nine games at the end of the season.
Texas Rangers On December 6, 2023, Yates signed a one-year, $4.5 million contract with the
Texas Rangers. In 61 games, he allowed eight earned runs in innings for a 1.17 ERA, 85 strikeouts, and converted 33 of 34 save opportunities.
Los Angeles Dodgers On January 30, 2025, Yates signed a one-year, $13 million contract with the
Los Angeles Dodgers. He pitched in 50 games for the Dodgers, with a 4–3 record, 5.23 ERA and 52 strikeouts in innings.
Los Angeles Angels (second stint) On January 6, 2026, Yates signed a one-year, $5 million contract with the
Los Angeles Angels. ==Personal life==