Braves call up Yates, demote Cormier

<p>Manager Bobby Cox said right-hander Tyler Yates, called up from Triple-A Richmond Tuesday, has a simple role:</p><p>"Just help us out," Cox said.</p><p>Yates couldn't deliver in his first outing Tuesday night, giving up four hits and three runs in 1 1-3 innings.</p><p>Cox said Yates was overthrowing in a possible attempt to make a strong first impression.</p><p>"Yeah, a little bit," Yates confirmed.</p><p>"I made some good pitches and some bad pitches. Things happen."</p><p>Yates is another example of an attempted reclamation project in the bullpen.</p><p>Yates, 28, was released by Baltimore after appearing in two spring games. He signed a minor league contract with Atlanta on May 3 and posted a 2.16 ERA in seven games with Richmond.</p><p>"The reports are extremely good," Cox said. "The guy has been highly touted for weeks."</p><p>Lance Cormier, 2-1 with a 6.10 ERA, was optioned to Richmond. "He's a big leaguer, no doubt," said Cox of Cormier. "We had to make room."</p><p>Cormier and Oscar Villarreal were acquired in the offseason trade that sent catcher Johnny Estrada to Arizona.</p><p>Yates was 2-4 with a 6.36 ERA in 2004 with the New York Mets. He missed the 2005 season following surgery to repair a torn right rotator cuff.</p><p>___</p><p>RAY OF HOPE: Another veteran is making the best of his second chance in the big leagues with Atlanta.</p><p>Ken Ray, who earned two saves in the weekend series against the Chicago Cubs, is emerging as one of Cox's more successful options in the ninth inning.</p><p>When asked Tuesday if Chris Reitsma is still the team's primary closer, Cox said "Whatever it takes to close is what we're doing right now."</p><p>Added Cox: "We don't give up on guys quickly."</p><p>Ray, Reitsma and Villarreal appear to be the top options if Cox plans to use a committee approach to save games.</p><p>Ray has a 1.44 ERA in 25 games. He has given up 16 hits and 10 walks in 25 innings.</p><p>"Kenny has been outstanding," Cox said. "I don't see how he can pitch any better than he's pitched."</p><p>Cox said Ray is durable. "We've probably pitched him too much so far, but you pitch him too much because he does well," Cox said.</p><p>Ray, 31, made his major league debut with Kansas City in 1999, but he did not return to the majors until this year with the Braves.</p><p>Ray was a starter most of his career but said "I feel good" making more frequent appearances as a reliever.</p><p>"We're all in this together," said Ray of the committee approach to closing out games. "There's not one individual who's going to do it anything. It's going to be a combination."</p><p>Ray, however, said "Reitsma is the man; it's still Reitsma."</p><p>Because Ray has played in 14 minor league towns in a professional career that began in 1993, general manager John Schuerholz said the reliever's nickname is Captain America.</p><p>___</p><p>A PENNY FOR GRADY'S THOUGHTS: Los Angeles manager Grady Little said Tuesday he hasn't spoken with RHP Brad Penny about Penny's animated complaints about being removed from Monday's game before he qualified for the win.</p><p>Penny was pulled with an 8-5 lead after giving up six straight hits and four runs in the fifth inning.</p><p>Little said he doesn't expect any disciplinary action. "I don't think so," Little said. "We'll see. I'm not going to talk about it with you (reporters) anymore." Penny said he complained of a sore shoulder following his previous start. "We're not going to put anybody out there to pitch if they tell us they can't go," Little said.</p>

http://accesswdun.com/article/2006/5/123179