Kauai’s Yates dealt to Pirates

BRADENTON, Fla. » Right-hander Tyler Yates, a hard-throwing reliever from Kauai who probably wasn't going to make the Atlanta Braves' opening day roster, was traded yesterday to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Double-A right-hander Todd Redmond.

The 30-year-old Yates will be used as one of the Pirates' setup men, an unexpected addition to a bullpen that has been overly crowded all spring with more than a dozen relievers competing for jobs.

The Braves had the same problem, which meant Yates, a Kauai High and Hawaii-Hilo alumnus, probably wasn't going north with them.

"They have a couple of guys out of options, (right-handers Chris) Resop and (Blaine) Boyer, who have really thrown the ball well for them this spring and, as a result, they had extra pitching and we benefited from that," Pirates general manager Neal Huntington said.

Yates has thrown his fastball 92-97 mph this spring, his slider 87-90 mph and will give the Pirates another of the power arms Huntington likes.

"He can get a strikeout and can overpower people," Huntington said.

Yates, who broke into the majors with the Mets in 2004, has a 6-12 record in three seasons. He was 2-3 with a 5.18 ERA in 75 games last season.

"They said they're excited to have me and I could pitch myself into a very prominent role in the bullpen. I think it could be a good career move and I could get into a role I feel like I need to be in," Yates said.