May 24
LF Jose Tabata and 3B Pedro Alvarez were given the day off Wednesday, but should be back in the lineup Friday. Tabata, the leadoff man, is batting .222 and slumping again. "I wanted to give them a day down, trying to spark something," manager Clint Hurdle said. "Maybe that will help them get their legs back under them a little bit."
May 23
Tabata popped out as a pinch-hitter Wednesday afternoon.
Recommendation: Since May 12, Tabata has just five hits in 37 at-bats and was benched for a game when he failed to run out a ground ball. Tabata has plenty of potential, but he has just two homers, six RBI and a .610 OPS in 148 at-bats (prior to Wednesday). He'll keep getting chances, however, because the Pirates really don't have any other options. Look for him to start Friday.
