Pittsburgh Pirates left-hander Mark Redman exercised his player option Thursday, a move that will pay him $4.5 million in 2006. The 31-year-old struggled last season, fading to a 1-7 record with a 7.08 earned run average after the All-Star break. For the entire season, Redman went 5-15 with a 4.90 ERA. He also threw two complete games and a shutout over 178 1/3 innings. The veteran, who was acquired last November in a trade that sent Jason Kendall to the Oakland Athletics, will compete for a spot in the rotation if the Pirates decide to keep him. The Bucs already have plenty of southpaws in the rotation mix, with Zach Duke, Oliver Perez, Paul Maholm and Dave Williams slated to compete for a spot at spring training.