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. 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. 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. He was traded to the
St. Louis Cardinals
on May 26, 2003, for a minor league outfielder and cash.
[4]
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.
In 2005, Yan pitched for the Angels. He was 1?1 in 49 games. In 2006, he began the season with the Angels before being traded to the
Cincinnati Reds
on May 30.
[5]
Yan spent the 2007 season as a pitcher for the
Hanshin Tigers
of
Nippon Professional Baseball
's
Central League
. In 2008, Yan rejoined the Orioles organization, but this time with its minor league affiliate the
Norfolk Tides
.
[6]
Yan was released on July 18, 2008. He signed with
SK Wyverns
of the
Korean Baseball League
in July 2008 and spent the rest of the season with them.
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 Mexico
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.