The Pirates had been hoping to get outfielder Jose Tabata back at some point in the near future, but it appears the team's everyday left fielder will be on the shelf for at least a little bit longer, as the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review's Rob Biertempfel reports.
↵↵↵"They're going to re-evaluate (today)," manager Clint Hurdle said. "He didn't want to push it right now. All the tests came back pretty good. There wasn't a re-injury type thing. For a young player whose game is dictated by speed, it was smarter backing away from the flame right there than trying to push through it."
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Obviously, the Bucs need Tabata back as soon as possible, as he'd allow them to move Garrett Jones from the platoon in right field to first base with a quickly rehabbing Steve Pearce, and shift Lyle Overbay's vastly underperforming bat out of the lineup on a regular basis.
↵Speaking of Pearce, it looks like he's nearing a return. He was 2-5 with a home run at AAA Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday as part of his rehab assignment. He's now hitting .300 down there, and could be back with the big club any day now. In other Triple-A news, Pedro Alvarez was 1-3 on Friday and is hitting .233. Brad Lincoln pitched six innings, gave up three earned runs and struck out five while walking none. His ERA is now 3.95.