Yan made his major league debut on May 20, 1996 with the Baltimore Orioles. He appeared in just four games with the Orioles that season while making just 3 appearances the following season.
Tampa Bay
In 1998, Yan pitched for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. In 64 games, he posted an ERA of 3.86 in 88+2⁄3 innings. In 1999, his ERA ballooned to 5.90 in 50 games. In 2000, Yan pitched between the rotation and the bullpen, appearing in 43 games while starting 20 of them. He was 7–8 in 137+2⁄3 innings.
On June 4, 2000, Yan hit a home run in his first major league at-bat, on the first pitch. His next plate appearance resulted in a sacrifice bunt, which does not count as an official at bat. In his only other career plate appearance (on June 30, 2003, as a member of the St. Louis Cardinals), he hit a single, giving him a 1.000 batting average and a 2.500 slugging percentage.
In the 2001 season, Yan served as closer for the Devil Rays, saving 22 games in 54 appearances. Yan began the 2002 season as the Devil Rays closer before being removed of the role during the season, he finished with a record of 7–8 in 55 games with 19 saves.
Texas
On December 26, 2002, Yan signed a one-year deal with the Texas Rangers.[3] In 15 games, he was 0–1 with a 6.94 ERA.
St. Louis
He was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals on May 26, 2003, for a minor league outfielder and cash.[4]
Detroit
In 2004, Yan pitched for the Detroit Tigers. He rebounded from the previous three seasons, as his ERA sat at a career-low 3.83 in a career-high 69 appearances.
California
In 2005, Yan pitched for the Angels. He was 1–1 in 49 games. In 2006, he began the season with the Angels.
Yan spent the first half of 2009 pitching for the Bridgeport Bluefish, an unaffiliated minor league team in the Atlantic League. On August 11, 2009, Yan signed a minor league contract with the Florida Marlins and was assigned to the New Orleans Zephyrs. However, he failed the physical and stayed with Bridgeport.[citation needed] He signed with the Diablos Rojos del México to start 2010, then returned to the Bluefish, by whom he was activated on August 17.[7] He returned to the Bluefish in 2011, splitting the season between Bridgeport and the Vaqueros Laguna of the Mexican League. He signed with the Saraperos de Saltillo for the 2012 season.
Television
Yan is the first member of the Tampa Bay Rays to be named on The Simpsons. In the March 16, 2003, episode entitled "C. E. D'oh!," Bart Simpson exclaims "Look at me! I'm Tomokazu Ohka of the Montreal Expos!" while playing baseball, to which Milhouse replies "Well, I'm Esteban Yan of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays!", referencing the relative obscurity of the two pitchers and their respective teams.[citation needed]
