Tyler Yates — R/R, 6′ 4″, 250 lb
Yates, a 33-year-old Hawaiian native, was chosen by the A’s in the 23rd round of the 1998 draft. He pitched in the A’s organization, as well as the Mets’ and the Braves’, and then traded to the Pirates for Todd Redmond in March 2008. Yates made 72 relief appearances for the Pirates that season, earning a 6-3 record and one save, and a 4.66 ERA. He began the 2009 season struggling, with an 0-2 record and a 7.50 ERA in 15 appearances in April, then went onto the DL and eventually had Tommy John surgery. The Pirates put him on waivers at the end of the season, but re-signed him as a minor league free agent, thinking that he’d be able to pitch by the second half of the 2010 season. Unfortunately, Yates had some problems during rehab, and never was able to pitch competitively in 2010. He signed another minor league contract for 2011 and was invited to major league spring training. He was reportedly doing better, but was still having problems with command, and so was reassigned to minor league camp. Yates will begin the season in Indianapolis, pitching in relief.
