Career

Yates attended the University of Hawaii at Hilo before being drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 23rd round of the 1998 Major League Baseball Draft. He spent most of seven seasons in the Athletics and New York Mets' minor league organizations, before pitching in the majors in 2004 and managing a high 6.36 earned run average. Further experience was limited by Tommy John surgery in 2002 and rotator cuff surgery that wiped out his entire 2005 season. He was used as a relief pitcher in the Athletics farm system, but the Mets attempted to make him a starting pitcher following his 2002 surgery.

Yates recorded the first save of his career on July 14, 2006, in a 15-12 extra-inning win over the San Diego Padres.

Yates was traded by the Atlanta Braves to the Pittsburgh Pirates on March 26, 2008, in exchange for minor league pitcher Todd Redmond. In 2008, he was better than in 2007 with an ERA of 4.66.

Yates missed the second half of the 2009 season after having a second Tommy John procedure, performed by Dr. James Andrews, in July.

He was re-signed to a minor league deal on January 4, 2010. Yates also received an invite to spring training.

Personal

His brother, Kirby Yates, currently plays for the New York Yankees.

[ Source: Wikipedia ]