Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Tyler Yates, a Kaua'i High and University of Hawai'i-Hilo alum, is expected to sign a one-year contract with the team, according to an Associated Press story.

Yates, a 6-foot-4, 250-pound right-hander, was 6-3 with a 4.66 ERA as a relief pitcher with the Pirates last season. He had 63 strikeouts and 41 walks.

Catcher Ryan Doumit agreed today to a three-year contract with the Pirates that includes club options for 2012 and 2013.

Doumit reached the deal less than a year after becoming the Pirates' starting catcher. He hit .318 with 15 home runs and 69 RBIs in 431 at-bats after beating out former starter Ronny Paulino early in the season.

Doumit, originally from Moses Lake, Wash., is the first of the Pirates' seven arbitration-eligible players to reach contract terms. Left-hander Paul Maholm may sign a multiyear deal, but Yates, center fielder Nate McLouth, first baseman Adam LaRoche, left-hander Zach Duke and left-hander John Grabow are expected to sign one-year contracts.

Doumit's agreement was first reported by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.