Jose Tabata Activated; Pirates Option Pedro Alvarez

The Pittsburgh Pirates welcomed back their leadoff hitter yesterday, activating outfielder Jose Tabata from the disabled list before Tuesday’s game.  To make room for the 23 year old, Pittsburgh optioned their struggling third baseman Pedro Alvarez to Triple-A.

Tabata has been out since the end of June while dealing with a strained right quad.  Pittsburgh decided to bring him back to the bigs after he spent 9 games rehabbing in the Minors.  During that stretch he showed comfort at the plate, but also that he was back to full go on the base paths and in the field.

Though he missed much of the Pirates exciting run atop the NL Central, Tabata is nonetheless ready to be back with the club.

"“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a Major League ball,” Tabata said. “I feel nervous a little bit because I want to do a good job. But at the same time, I don’t want to put pressure on me. I [have] come back here and I’ll try to do my same job.”"

Before he hit the shelf, Tabata had put up a line of .264/.352/.352 with 30 runs scored and 14 stolen bases.

Pittsburgh decided to give Alvarez three more weeks of work in the Minors this season, as the former top prospect has struggled since rejoining the club in July.  Over the 20 games he’s played since being recalled, Alvarez has collected 12 hits in his 69 at bats.  The 24 year old has only managed to hit .196/.264/.284 for the Pirates this season.

For more on the Pirates, be sure to check out Rum Bunter.