Former Braves Closer, 2-Time All-Star And MLB Saves Leader Ends Career With 3 Words

The Atlanta Braves are preparing for another postseason run with one of their most important bullpen reinforcements finally nearing full strength.

Robert Suarez, who missed several months with an elbow injury, has returned to action at a crucial time as Atlanta prepares to face the rival Philadelphia Phillies in the Wild Card round.

“The Braves bullpen was one of the best in baseball even without set-up man Robert Suarez for three months,” Jesus Cano reported for The Athletic. “But they were glad to see him make two appearances since returning from right elbow inflammation this past week.”

Suarez’s return gives Atlanta another high-leverage option alongside Raisel Iglesias and the rest of a deep relief corps. He posted a 0.56 ERA across his first 31 appearances before his elbow issue sidelined him in June.

But alongside the news of Suarez’s imminent return, the Braves also received an update on a former centerpiece of their bullpen at the end of the regular season. Kirby Yates, who spent the 2022 and 2023 seasons in Atlanta, announced that his playing career is officially over.

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Yates confirmed his retirement decision publicly after making the first start of his 12-year MLB career for the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday, pitching one and two-thirds scoreless innings against the Detroit Tigers. The appearance was also part of a memorable final day for Justin Verlander, who was making his final MLB appearance for Detroit.

“This is it,” Yates announced in a postgame interview with SportsNet Pittsburgh. “I just didn’t really want to say anything, publicly, until the end.”

That three-word message delivered a clear answer after Yates hinted at the idea of ending his career leading up to the final appearance.

Yates leaves baseball as a two-time All-Star and the 2019 National League saves leader. That season with the San Diego Padres produced 41 saves and a 1.19 ERA, establishing the right-hander as one of baseball’s premier closers. He later earned his second All-Star selection with the Texas Rangers in 2024 after recording 33 saves and a 1.17 ERA.

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Yates originally joined the Braves on a two-year, $8.25 million contract before the 2022 season. His first year in Atlanta followed an extended recovery from elbow surgery, but he returned to become a reliable bullpen piece and posted a 3.28 ERA across 60 and one-third innings in 2023.

His career ultimately included stops with eight MLB organizations, 518 appearances, 101 saves and a 3.35 ERA. He also overcame the unusual path of reaching the majors after going undrafted out of junior college.

“I don’t have anything left, let’s put it that way,” Yates told SportsNet Pittsburgh. “I’ve been running on fumes here for a while… I’ve given this game everything I have and in return it’s given me more than I could ever thank it for or imagine.”

For many Braves fans, Yates’ retirement announcement will recall some big moments in the recent past, including his only postseason appearance, which came in the 2023 National League Division Series against the Phillies. As the Braves once again prepare to face their division rival in the playoffs, fans will take a moment to remember the former bullpen piece as a long and successful career comes to an end.

This article was originally published on Forbes.com