Pittsburgh Pirates in a bind as Jose Tabata injures leg – MLB News
The Pittsburgh Pirates’ out-fielder Jose Tabata has been diagnosed with a left quad strain that has made his status, for the time being at least, doubtful. He sustained the injury during the first innings of the game against the Boston Red Sox played on
Sunday, June 26, which the Pirates eventually lost 4-2.
Tabata was carried off the field on a stretcher and the initial reaction was that the injury is quiet serious. Later in the day, after the game, he was seen limping in the clubhouse by reporters, signifying that he is in a position to put weight on the injured
quad.
The Pirates were initially considering placing Jose on the disabled list for 15 days which would have been a blow for the team. His hitting record this season has been phenomenal, to say the least. The Pirates made the proper decision which came good with
the fans, as they have now sent Pedro Ciriaco down to Triple-A affiliate and called Alex Presley to replace Tabata for the game against the Toronto Blue Jays. The good news here is that Tabata remains away from the DL and is upbeat for a comeback soon.
Presley has been playing pretty well with the Triple-A Indianapolis where he has been hitting at .336. He has managed 36 RBIs and 52 runs, eight of which have been home-runs.
Not having Tabata on the disabled list does not mean that he is not injured and not recovering quickly will affect the Pirates the most. With the season almost halfway, he has been their lead-off hitter, scoring 39 runs till now. In his absence, they will
either have to shuffle their line-up or they need to find a replacement. A replacement of Jose’s quality seems a distant option in the near future. Presley can fill his position in the team but expecting a lot will be asking a bit too much from the youngster.
Nonetheless, Presley has earned his spot and should not be underestimated. He needs a lengthy run at the top level to prove his credentials. Even if Jose does not end up on the DL, he is likely to remain in the bull-pen for a minimum of that time.
Tabata has had an impressive stint with the Pittsburgh Pirates. His 39 runs this season have enabled him to post a career 100 runs. He has hit seven home-runs thus far with a half century of RBIs.
This is not the first time that the 22-year-old Tabata has been injured. He ended up missing the 2007 season with the Yankees when the hamate bone in his right wrist had to be removed following an injury. He underwent a six-week rehab at that time.
The fans will be keeping their fingers crossed for the youngster’s early return to the Pirates.
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