LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Kirby Yates is expected to undergo an MRI on Sunday after exiting Saturday’s game against the Angels with an apparent hamstring injury, manager Dave Roberts announced. The initial diagnosis is a Grade 1 hamstring strain, which could sideline the veteran pitcher for at least two weeks.
Yates, 38, left the mound after just 0.1 innings in Saturday’s matchup, having allowed three earned runs on three hits and a walk over 23 pitches. Witnesses noted Yates grabbing at his hamstring before departing, signaling potential trouble for the Dodgers’ bullpen, which is already navigating a season marked by injuries to key starters like Tyler Glasnow and Blake Snell.
“I don’t see how it’s not an IL,” Roberts told Dodgers beat writer Bill Plunkett after the game, referring to the injured list. Under MLB rules, pitchers must spend a minimum of 15 days on the injured list, aligning with the expected recovery timeline for a mild hamstring strain. Medical experts note that Grade 1 strains, the least severe classification, typically heal within one to two weeks, though more severe cases can take months.
The Dodgers, who signed Yates to bolster their bullpen in January, now face another challenge in managing their pitching depth. The team has already dealt with significant injuries this season, including recovery timelines for stars like Shohei Ohtani, who is expected to return to pitching in May following elbow and shoulder surgeries.
Yates’ MRI results, expected Sunday, will provide clarity on the injury’s severity and his potential return date. For now, the Dodgers will likely adjust their bullpen strategy as they continue their series against the Angels.
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