Indians complete trade with Tampa Bay Rays

The Cleveland Indians today announced the club has acquired RHP Kirby Yates from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for cash considerations.
 
Yates, 28, has spent his entire professional career with the Tampa Bay Rays, posting a Major League mark of 1-2 with a save and a 5.27 ERA in 57 relief appearances since debuting in 2014 (56.1IP, 56H, 33ER, 22BB, 63SO, .253avg). He has averaged 11.9 strikeouts per 9.0IP throughout his 7-year Minor League career and 10.1 SO/9.0IP at the Major League level. He was signed by Tampa Bay as a non-drafted free agent in June 2009 out of Yavapai (\yav-a-pie\, AZ) Junior College and was named organizational relief pitcher of the year in 2013 after sporting a 1.90 ERA in 51 relief appearances at Triple-A Durham. The Lihue (\lee-HU-ay\), Hawaii native's brother, Tyler, appeared in 239 games with the Mets, Braves and Pirates across five Major League seasons from 2004-09.
 
To allow room for Yates on the club's 40-man roster the Indians have designated OF Michael Choice for assignment.