What happened: Kirby Yates formally concluded his playing days on Sunday. The 39-year-old requested and received the first start of his career for his final outing before confirming his decision to step away.
Why it matters: The veteran walks away having established himself as a premier back-end arm at his peak. He pitched for eight different franchises and earned a pair of All-Star selections, including leading the National League in saves during the 2019 season.
By the numbers: The right-hander tossed 1.2 scoreless innings and recorded one strikeout in his final major-league appearance.
What to watch: Yates transitions into retirement as the 2026 regular season comes to a close.