Tabata cleared to play winter ball

The Pirates have cleared Jose Tabata to play in the final month of winter ball for the Caribes de Anzoategui in the Dominican Republic.

Tabata was wanting to play the entire season this winter, but the Bucs were hesitant since he is coming off his rookie season for the Pirates.

The two sides came to a compromise allowing Tabata to plain the remainder of December.

“I think it was a situation where we challenged Jose to make sure he was doing what he needed to do for his career in Pittsburgh,” said director of player development Kyle Stark.

“Those guys get pulled to go play in Winter Ball. We wanted to make sure those guys understand that the first commitment is to their own career in Pittsburgh. I think it was a situation where we had to make sure he was in baseball shape and ready to do it and in position to start the spring and have a good spring.”