Yan made his major league debut on May 20, 1996 with the Baltimore Orioles. He appeared in just 4 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 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 innings. On June 4, 2000, Yan hit a home run in his first major league at bat, on the first pitch. He also had a single in his next at bat, the only other of his career, giving him a 1.000 batting average and a 2.500 slugging percentage. The following 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 1 year deal with the Texas Rangers. 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. In 2004, Yan pitched for the Detroit Tigers. He had a rebound season from the previous 3 seasons, as his ERA sat at a career low 3.83 in a career high 69 appearances. In 2005, pitched for the Angels. He was 1-1 in 49 games. In 2006, he started the season with the Angels before being traded to the Cincinnati Reds on May 30, 2006.
Asia
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. 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.
Mexico
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. He signed with the Diablos Rojos del México to start 2010, then returned to the Bluefish, by whom he was activated on August 17. 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.
