COLUMBUS, Ohio — The way Jason Conti sees it, Brian Graham, the Pittsburgh Pirates' director of player personnel, has done quite a bit to keep his professional baseball career going.

Graham gave Conti an invitation to extended spring training camp this spring when Conti didn't land with another club over the winter.

But even bigger, Graham gave Conti an out in case something better presented itself.

It finally did last weekend.

Desperate for outfield depth, Conti was signed by the New York Yankees and sent to their Class AAA affiliate, the Columbus Clippers.

"I'm grateful to Brian Graham for giving me a chance and getting me in shape and wait for something to happen," said Conti, a graduate of Seneca Valley High School. "He did a nice thing for me."

Conti reported to the Pirates' extended spring training in Bradenton, Fla. He was expected to report to Class AAA Indianapolis or Class AA Altoona within two weeks, but with injuries to Yankees outfielders Gary Sheffield and Hideki Matsui, Conti placed a call to his agent.

"It took 24 hours for them to make a decision," he noted.

The thought of reaching the big leagues again was still very appealing to Conti, who last played with the Texas Rangers in 2004 and spent all of last season with the Rangers' Class AAA Oklahoma team.

"I'm happy I'm here," said Conti. "I'm back in Class AAA and for the Yankees. That's exciting for me.

"I was thinking of playing independent ball and thought I would give it one more year. I'm not old (31) and I didn't want to stop playing. If things didn't work out, that's fine," he added.

Conti had spent parts of five seasons in the major leagues, from Arizona in 2000-01, the second year receiving a basic share and a World Series championship ring despite being traded to Tampa Bay midway through the season.

In 2002, he spent time with the Devil Rays, then likewise with Milwaukee in 2003 after being traded from Tampa Bay before the start of the season.

He signed as a free agent with the Texas Rangers in 2004 and had 55 at-bats, but spent all of last season at Oklahoma.

"As soon as I was a (six-year minor league) free agent, Texas didn't offer me a chance to come back," said Conti. "I was a little surprised that Texas didn't seek me out a little. Maybe I should have called them.

"I decided to wait a little. The last two years, I signed early, then teams went out and signed two or three guys late and had different ideas before the start of the season," he added.

When the only offer during the winter was the independent team, Conti thought the Pirates could be a good situation.

"They had a couple of guys struggling in AAA and a couple of guys struggling in the big leagues," said Conti. "When I was there, I thought I'd get my chances."

Conti figures he had about 40- to 50 at-bats at the Pirates' extended spring training, "and less than half against our team, but I was still getting time at the plate," said Conti.

Those chances with the Pirates didn't materialize until the Yankees became interested.

"They had shown some interest and I had a friend in Columbus. My agent made a couple of calls. I think they were still impressed with my track record," Conti said.

Conti already has started three games with the team and is batting .300 (3-for-10, all doubles).

In Tuesday's 7-5 win over Richmond, Conti had two doubles in three at-bats, plus a pair of walks, one RBI and three runs scored.

He's been playing long enough to realize this opportunity could get him back to the big leagues or pan out to nothing.

"There's a need over there," said Conti on the Yankees. "When Sheffield comes off the disabled list, who knows where I'll be.

"Right now, I'll give what I've got the next two weeks. Hopefully, I'll tie their hands and they'll have to keep me."