:Tyler Yates

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name=Tyler Yates

|image=TylerYates.JPG

|caption=Yates with the Atlanta Braves in 2007

|position=Pitcher

|birth_date={{Birth date and age|1977|8|7}}

|birth_place=Lihue, Hawaii, U.S.

|bats=Right

|throws=Right

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate=April 9

|debutyear=2004

|debutteam=New York Mets

|finalleague = MLB

|finaldate=May 15

|finalyear=2009

|finalteam=Pittsburgh Pirates

|statleague = MLB

|stat1label=Win–loss record

|stat1value=12–17

|stat2label=Earned run average

|stat2value=5.12

|stat3label=Strikeouts

|stat3value=222

|teams=

New York Mets ({{mlby|2004}})
Atlanta Braves ({{mlby|2006}}–{{mlby|2007}})
Pittsburgh Pirates ({{mlby|2008}}–{{mlby|2009}})

}}

Tyler Kali Yates (born August 7, 1977) is an American police officer and former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball for the New York Mets, Atlanta Braves, and Pittsburgh Pirates.

Career

=Oakland Athletics=

Yates attended the University of Hawaii at Hilo before being drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 23rd round, with the 675th overall selection, of the 1998 Major League Baseball draft.{{Cite web |last=Chase |first=Al |date=December 1, 2021 |title=UH Hilo pitcher Yates signs with Oakland Athletics |url=http://archives.starbulletin.com/98/06/05/sports/story3.html |access-date=November 22, 2023 |website=Honolulu Star-Bulletin Sports |archive-date=December 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211201130425/http://archives.starbulletin.com/98/06/05/sports/story3.html |url-status=bot: unknown }} He spent his first professional season with the rookie-level Arizona League Athletics and Low-A Southern Oregon Timberjacks.

Yates spent the 1999 season with the High-A Visalia Oaks, logging a 2-5 record and 5.47 ERA with 74 strikeouts and 4 saves across 47 contests. He split 2000 between the High-A Modesto A's and Double-A Midland RockHounds, accumulating a 5-3 record and 3.90 ERA with 85 strikeouts in 83 innings pitched across 52 relief appearances.{{Cite web|title=Tyler Yates - Stats - Pitching|url=https://www.fangraphs.com/players/tyler-yates/1527/stats?position=P|access-date=February 20, 2025|website=fangraphs.com|language=en}} Yates spent the 2001 season with Midland and the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats. In 60 appearances split between the two affiliates, he compiled a 5-6 record and 3.97 ERA with 64 strikeouts and 18 saves across 68 innings of work.{{Cite web|title=Tyler Yates - Baseball Statistics|url=https://www.thebaseballcube.com/content/player/7522/|access-date=February 20, 2025|website=thebaseballcube.com|language=en}}

=New York Mets=

Yates pitched in the Athletics organization until being traded to the New York Mets with Mark Guthrie on December 1, 2001, for David Justice.{{cite news |title=Justice traded for second time in a week |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/2001/1214/1295754.html |access-date=December 1, 2021 |agency=Associated Press |work=ESPN.com |date=December 14, 2001}} Republished as: {{cite news |title=Mets trade Justice to Oakland for pitcher |url=https://products.kitsapsun.com/archive/2001/12-15/0021_the_majors__mets_trade_justice_to.html |access-date=December 1, 2021 |work=Kitsap Sun |date=December 15, 2001}} Republished in part as: {{cite news |title=Mets trade Justice |url=https://www.oklahoman.com/article/2771431/mets-trade-justice |access-date=December 1, 2021 |work=The Oklahoman |date=December 15, 2001}} His 2002 season was limited by Tommy John surgery.{{cite news |last1=Chase |first1=Al |title=Yates is prepared for long recovery after arm surgery |url=http://archives.starbulletin.com/2002/06/21/sports/index5.html |access-date=December 1, 2021 |work=Honolulu Star Bulletin |date=June 21, 2002}}

Yates split the 2003 season between three minor league teams. He participated in spring training the next year,{{cite news |title=Pitchers Making Mets' Decisions Tough |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/23/sports/baseball-pitchers-making-mets-decisions-tough.html |access-date=December 1, 2021 |work=New York Times |date=March 23, 2004}} and debuted against the Montreal Expos on April 9, 2004.{{cite news |title=Field changes in San Juan help N.Y. |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap/_/gameId/240409120 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211201120128/https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap/_/gameId/240409120 |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 1, 2021 |access-date=December 1, 2021 |agency=Associated Press |work=ESPN.com |date=April 9, 2004}}{{cite news |title=Mets' Yates Shows He's Where He Belongs |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/10/sports/baseball-mets-yates-shows-he-s-where-he-belongs.html |access-date=December 1, 2021 |work=New York Times |date=April 10, 2004}} Ten days later, Yates earned his first major league victory in another appearance against Montreal.{{cite news |last1=Popper |first1=Steve |title=Yates makes first victory look easy |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/20/sports/baseball-yates-makes-first-victory-look-easy.html |work=New York Times |date=April 20, 2004}}{{cite news |title=Mets' Yates gets first MLB win |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=240419121 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211201120125/https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=240419121 |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 1, 2021 |access-date=December 1, 2021 |agency=Associated Press |work=ESPN.com |date=April 19, 2004}} By May, Yates had returned to the minor leagues to pitch as a reliever.{{Cite web |date=December 1, 2021 |title=Erickson could be back with Mets in two weeks |url=https://products.kitsapsun.com/archive/2004/05-28/484001_erickson_could_be_back_with_met.html |access-date=November 22, 2023 |website=Kipsap Sun |archive-date=December 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211201115942/https://products.kitsapsun.com/archive/2004/05-28/484001_erickson_could_be_back_with_met.html |url-status=bot: unknown }} Yates underwent rotator cuff surgery and did not pitch during the 2005 season.{{cite news |last1=Chase |first1=Al |title=Local pros receive their assignments |url=http://archives.starbulletin.com/2005/04/10/sports/story1.html |access-date=December 1, 2021 |work=Honolulu Star Bulletin |date=April 10, 2005}}{{cite news |last1=Shimogawa Jr. |first1=Duane |title=Koloa's Yates headed to Baltimore |url=https://www.thegardenisland.com/2006/02/09/sports/koloas-yates-headed-to-baltimore/ |access-date=December 1, 2021 |work=The Garden Island |date=February 9, 2006}}

=Atlanta Braves=

Yates was released by the Mets at the conclusion of the 2005 season, and joined the Baltimore Orioles before the 2006 season, participating in spring training as a non-roster invitee. He was subsequently released from the Orioles, and signed with the Atlanta Braves on May 3, 2006.{{cite news |title=Braves search for stability in patchwork bullpen |url=https://accesswdun.com/print/2006/6/122457 |access-date=December 1, 2021 |agency=Associated Press |publisher=WDUN |date=June 10, 2006}} Yates recorded the first save of his career on July 14, 2006, in a 15–12 extra-inning win over the San Diego Padres.{{cite news |title=LaRoche homers twice as Braves win wild one |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=260714125 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211201100131/https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=260714125 |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 1, 2021 |access-date=December 1, 2021 |agency=Associated Press |work=ESPN.com |date=July 15, 2006}} He made the Braves' Opening Day roster in 2007,{{cite news |last1=Chase |first1=Al |title=3 isle players in majors; more on way |url=http://archives.starbulletin.com/2007/04/06/sports/story02.html |access-date=December 1, 2021 |work=Honolulu Star Bulletin |date=April 6, 2007}} and agreed to terms with the team prior to the start of the 2008 season.{{cite news |title=FBI launches inquiry into Tejada case |url=https://www.dailybulletin.com/2008/01/18/fbi-launches-inquiry-into-tejada-case/ |access-date=December 1, 2021 |work=Inland Valley Daily Bulletin |date=January 18, 2008}}

=Pittsburgh Pirates=

Yates was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates on March 26, 2008, in exchange for minor league pitcher Todd Redmond.{{cite news |title=Atlanta Braves trade reliever Tyler Yates to Pittsburgh Pirates for minor league pitcher |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story?id=3312775 |access-date=December 1, 2021 |agency=Associated Press |work=ESPN.com |date=March 26, 2008}} He made 72 appearances for Pittsburgh during the 2008 campaign, registering a 6-3 record and 4.66 ERA with 63 strikeouts across {{fraction|73|1|3}} innings pitched.{{Cite web|title=Tyler Yates 2008 pitching Stats Per Game - MLB|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/gamelog/_/id/5098/year/2008/category/pitching|access-date=February 20, 2025|website=espn.com|language=en}}

Yates pitched in 15 games for the Pirates in 2009, struggling to an 0-2 record and 7.50 ERA with 9 strikeouts over 12 innings of work.{{Cite web|title=Tyler Yates 2009 pitching Stats Per Game - MLB|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/gamelog/_/id/5098/tyler-yates|access-date=February 20, 2025|website=espn.com|language=en}} On July 16, 2009, it was announced that Yates would miss the remainder of the season after having a second Tommy John procedure, performed by James Andrews.{{cite news |last1=Kovacevic |first1=Dejan |title=Pirates' Yates on elbow surgery: 'I'll be back' |url=https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/pirates/2009/07/16/Pirates-Yates-on-elbow-surgery-I-ll-be-back/stories/200907160312 |access-date=December 1, 2021 |work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |date=July 16, 2009}} On October 27, Yates was removed from the 40-man roster and sent outright to the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians, but rejected the assignment and elected free agency.{{Cite web|title=Tyler Yates Elects Free Agency|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/10/tyler-yates-elects-free-agency.html|access-date=February 20, 2025|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}}

On January 4, 2010, Yates re-signed with the Pirates on a minor league contract.{{cite news |title=Cotts, two others sign with Pirates |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story/_/id/4795718 |access-date=December 1, 2021 |agency=Associated Press |work=ESPN.com |date=January 4, 2010}} [https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=4795718 Alternative URL] but not expected to pitch until May or June.{{cite news |last1=Kovacevic |first1=Dejan |title=Pirates reliever Yates arrested, but charges dropped |url=https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/pirates/2010/01/17/Pirates-reliever-Yates-arrested-but-charges-dropped/stories/201001170229 |access-date=December 1, 2021 |work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |date=January 17, 2010}}{{cite news |last1=Biertempfel |first1=Rob |title=Charges dropped against Pirates' Yates |url=https://archive.triblive.com/news/charges-dropped-against-pirates-yates/ |access-date=December 1, 2021 |work=Pittsburgh Tribune-Review |date=January 18, 2010}} He did not appear for the organization and elected free agency following the season on November 6.

On December 16, 2010, Yates once more re-signed with the Pirates organization on a minor league contract and participated in spring training.{{cite news |last1=Biertempfel |first1=Rob |title=Pirates' bullpen taking shape for season |url=https://archive.triblive.com/news/pirates-bullpen-taking-shape-for-season/ |access-date=December 1, 2021 |work=Pittsburgh Tribune-Review |date=February 17, 2011}}{{cite news |last1=Biertempfel |first1=Rob |title=Pirates mum on who will attend Tanner's funeral |url=https://archive.triblive.com/news/pirates-mum-on-who-will-attend-tanners-funeral/ |access-date=December 1, 2021 |work=Pittsburgh Tribune-Review |date=February 16, 2011}} He was cut from major league camp in March,{{cite news |last1=Dunlap |first1=Colin |title=Pirates cut 5; Beimel won't be ready for start of season |url=https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/pirates/2011/03/25/Pirates-cut-5-Beimel-won-t-be-ready-for-start-of-season/stories/201103250187 |access-date=December 1, 2021 |work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |date=March 25, 2011}} and did not pitch for the organization during the 2011 campaign. Yates elected free agency following the season on November 2, 2011.

Personal

Tyler is the eldest of three brothers,{{cite news |last1=Matz |first1=Eddie |title=How Kirby Yates went from one of MLB's worst pitchers to a trade-deadline darling |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/page/Buster201907241/how-kirby-yates-went-one-mlb-worst-pitchers-trade-deadline-darling |work=ESPN.com |date=July 24, 2019}} including Spencer and Kirby Yates.{{cite news |last1=Killeen |first1=Rick |title=Brothers in arms |url=https://www.thegardenisland.com/2013/02/10/sports/brothers-in-arms/ |access-date=December 1, 2021 |work=The Garden Island |date=February 10, 2013}} Tyler and Kirby were the second pair of brothers from Hawaii to play Major League Baseball, after Bronson and Dane Sardinha.{{cite news |title=Padres' reliever Yates following footsteps of brother on the field, father at home |url=https://www.khon2.com/sports/local-sports/padres-reliever-yates-following-footsteps-of-brother-on-the-field-father-at-home/ |access-date=December 1, 2021 |publisher=KHON-TV |date=June 18, 2018}} Since retiring from baseball, Tyler became a police officer in Kauai.{{cite news |last1=Nightengale |first1=Bob |title=Padres closer Kirby Yates finds saving grace in San Diego |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/columnist/bob-nightengale/2019/06/14/padres-kirby-yates-all-star/1448390001/ |access-date=December 1, 2021 |work=USA Today |date=June 15, 2019}} Tyler dated Liesel throughout his professional baseball career.{{cite news |last1=Jakahi |first1=Kevin |title=Where are they know? Uniform swap for Tyler Yates, who has no regrets |url=https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2020/06/15/sports/where-are-they-know-uniform-swap-for-tyler-yates-who-has-no-regrets/ |access-date=December 1, 2021 |work=Hawaii Tribune-Herald |date=June 15, 2020}} The two later married and had two children.