The Los Angeles Dodgers are placing right-handed reliever Kirby Yates on the injured list with lower back pain, according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. One of the Dodgers’ newest acquisitions, right-hander Paul Gervase, will replace Yates on the roster.
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Kirby Yates Returns to Injured List with Back Issue
Kirby Yates is going on the IL with lower back pain. Brock Stewart, Paul Gervase and Alex Call will all be active tonight.
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) August 1, 2025
Not Again
Kirby Yates was one of the biggest free-agent signings this last offseason for the Dodgers. This year, the veteran reliever has struggled to stay healthy and effective. This is the second visit to the IL for the 38-year-old. He was sidelined in late May due to a strained hamstring but missed minimal time. It hasn’t been a smooth ride for Yates this year, particularly in the last seven games. He has a 7.20 ERA in a total of five innings pitched. He has given up four earned runs on five hits and walked four while striking out four. His most recent outing would have been a blown save if the now-departed James Outman had not made a leaping catch at the wall, robbing a home run.
The New Guy
For his part, Paul Gervase was just acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays in a three-team trade on Wednesday night. He has limited time at the big-league level. However, in 6 1/3 innings over five games, the 25-year-0ld has struck out six batters. At six feet, 10 inches tall, Gervase has velocity and a unique arm angle which makes it difficult to pick up the baseball out of hand. In four seasons in the minor leagues, he has a 2.98 ERA. He has struck out 252 batters in 154 innings in that time. The right-hander was a 12th-round draft pick of the New York Mets in 2022.
“Put Me In, Coach”
The other trade additions acquired by the Dodgers, reliever Brock Stewart and outfielder Alex Call, are also available tonight, if needed. The Dodgers start a series against the Tampa Bay Rays tonight on the road.
Main Photo Credit: © Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images
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