(Pittsburgh-AP) -- The Pittsburgh Pirates have recalled catcher Humberto Cota from Triple A-Nashville after releasing first baseman Kevin Young.

Cota was hitting 2-10 with eight doubles, seven home runs and 22 RBIs in 49 games at Nashville.

Cota was recalled to back up catcher Jason Kendall, who has started 70 of the Pirates' first 78 games. Craig Wilson has been backing up Kendall, but Wilson is expected to get more playing time at first with the release of Young.

Young had spent ten of the last eleven seasons with the Pirates. He was was released last night after hitting 2-0-2 with two homers and seven RBIs in 52 games.

Young had spent more time with the Pirates than any other active player, although his continuous service time was eclipsed by Kendall.

(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

AP-NY-06-29-03 1258EDT