Jose Tabata Injury: Pirates Outfielder Returns From DL

Alvarez, who was the Pirates’ first pick and second overall pick in the 2008 draft, has been up and down between Pittsburgh and the minors this year, and in the major leagues he has been a disappointment; since his latest recall on July 25 he is hitting just 12-for-69 (.174) with 25 strikeouts and four walks. Overall in the major leagues this season his triple-slash is an ugly .196/.264/.284 with just three home runs in 194 at-bats. It’s too early for the Bucs to give up on the 24-year-old Alvarez, but he’s been a disappointment given his high draft position.

There’s no indication just yet of how long Tabata will be out. The injury certainly didn’t look good at the time. Tabata leaves behind a .705 OPS with 14 steals and a remarkably good K/BB for a player his age.

As for Alex Presley, the 25-year-old lefty hitting outfielder comes up from triple-A Indianapolis, where he owned an .889 OPS. He isn’t thought of as a top prospect or impact player, but he runs very well and has a surprising amount of power, so as Jose Tabata replacements go, he’s not bad.