DETROIT - Kirby Yates is about to check off a box that has somehow never been checked in a 12-year MLB career: first start.
The Pirates right-hander will take the ball Sept. 25 against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park, turning a bullpen day into a rare spotlight moment for a veteran who has spent 517 previous appearances coming out of the relief gate. That’s the longest streak for a Pirates pitcher in the Modern Era, since 1901.
At 39, Yates is also the eldest player on the Pirates, and this could be the kind of night that lingers with him long after the season ends. He hasn’t confirmed retirement, but he acknowledged he understands where he is in his career and that this might be his last chance to start.
“It’s cool. I’m not oblivious to what’s ahead of me.
It very well could be the last time. I’ll take it all in.
I’m sure there’ll be some emotions if my mind gets to that point. I’ve been trying to open for a while.
Teams haven’t allowed me to do it.
"I finally got to a place where maybe it made a little more sense here. Tomorrow is a day to do it.
It’s good. I also don’t want to go out there and embarrass myself.
I’d like to try and have a clean inning and maybe possibly go out for more and see what that holds.”
The Pirates are using Yates in a bullpen game, but he had to make his case to manager Don Kelly before the switch was made. Yates said Kelly eventually gave in.
“I think this is gonna be pretty neat, especially with the environment that’s expected,” Yates said on making his first start. “I’m excited.
To be honest with you, Donnie told me, and I got pretty nervous pretty quickly. It’s good.
Haven’t had these feelings in a long time. I’m excited."
The setup is unusual for Yates, who is used to working in a far different rhythm than a starter. Still, he believes the routine won’t be a problem.
“Well, I pitched in a rain delay a little while ago. I feel like it’s gonna be a little similar to that," Yates said.
"It’s kind of nice. I can go in the weight room, go right to playing catch, and to the mound and not have to sit.
Last time I did that body felt great. I’m kind of excited for what it should feel like tomorrow."
The timing makes the moment even bigger because Justin Verlander will also be making his final MLB start for the Tigers. That means Comerica Park is set for a sellout crowd, and Yates knows exactly who he’s sharing the stage with.
“It’s a guy I respect a lot and have admired for many, many years,” Yates said. “It’s his day.
But hopefully I can out-pitch him for an inning or two. We’ll see how it goes.
Should be a lot of fun on both sides. Again, I’m excited."
Yates also made it clear he isn’t expecting to work like a traditional starter for long.
“I think the difference is, if I get into the third inning, my arm probably will fall off,' Yates said. "He’s a little bit more experienced going deep into games. Just go out there and try and give ‘em hell for as long as you can."
The Pirates acquired Yates at the trade deadline from the Los Angeles Angels while building out their bullpen for a playoff push. The postseason chase didn’t end the way Pittsburgh wanted, but the move has still worked out well for Yates after leaving one of baseball’s worst teams for a club that spent much of the season in the National League Wild Card race.
He has also delivered on the mound. In 14 outings with the Pirates, Yates has posted a 2.03 ERA and helped turn the bullpen into one of the better groups after the deadline.
That impact has mattered inside the clubhouse too, especially for rookie starter Bubba Chandler. Chandler, who just wrapped up a season full of both struggles and successes, said Yates has meant a lot to him.
“Definitely gonna be cool. I don't know Justin Verlander.
I know he's a freaking stud. I do know Kirby and Kirby is the man.
I'm gonna miss him," Chandler said. "I think baseball's gonna miss him.
Dude's a really awesome guy.
"That dude's meant a lot -- I know to a couple guys in there but definitely to me. It's gonna be an emotional day tomorrow for everybody.
I hope they both go out there. I'm gonna assume Kirby's not gonna throw that much, but I hope he goes out there and throws a perfect or whatever he's gonna go and he walks off the mound content.
Same thing for Verlander. I want out hitters to do good, but dude's earned it.
Can't thank Kirby enough for the two months I got with him. He's awesome.”
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