Kirby Yates Announces Retirement After First Career Start

Kirby Yates announced his retirement after the Pirates' 4-3 walk-off loss to the Tigers in Detroit. Manager Don Kelly named him opener in a bullpen game for the first start of his career after 517 relief appearances. Yates recorded five outs in 1⅔ innings, struck out Dillon Dingler, and left to a standing ovation when lifted for Yohan Ramírez. The game was the same day as Justin Verlander's last career start for Detroit. Yates told reporters: "It was good, but this was it … I don't have anything left. Let's put it that way. I've been running on fumes for a while. I think it's just time. It's felt like it's been time for a little while now. I think I've given this game everything I have, and in return, it's given me more than I can ever thank it for or imagine." He signed with the Rays as an undrafted free agent in 2009, debuted in 2014, and peaked with the Padres at a 1.67 ERA and 41 saves in 2019. No facts are contested. Next steps after retirement are unstated.