Pittsburgh, PA -- (Sports Network) - The Pittsburgh Pirates requested outright waivers on pitcher Tyler Yates on Monday.

Yates, 32, has elected to enter free agency.

Last season, he appeared in just 15 games and went 0-2 with a 7.50 earned run average. He did not pitch after May 15 as he had Tommy John surgery on his right elbow.

Over his five seasons in the majors, which has included stops with the Mets and Braves, he is 12-17 with a 5.12 ERA over 239 games, primarily out of the bullpen.