Pirates Option Jose Tabata; Recall Gorkys Hernandez

The Pittsburgh Pirates have optioned outfielder Jose Tabata to Triple-A, reports Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

#pirates have optioned jose tabata to aaa and recalled ... Gorkys Hernandez

— Rob Biertempfel (@BiertempfelTrib) July 3, 2012

In a corresponding roster move, the Pirates recalled outfielder Gorkys Hernandez.

Tabata has struggled this season as the Pirates regular right fielder. The 23-year-old has only hit at a clip of .230/.295/.341 with 19 extra-base hits, 11 RBIs and 32 runs scored over his 252 at-bats.

The Pirates were hoping for more from Tabata this year, after signing the outfielder to a contract extension last August. Tabata’s new deal runs through the 2016 season and provides him with $14.74 million in guaranteed money. His contract includes club options of $6.5, $7.5 and $8.5 million in 2017, ’18 and ’19.

The Pirates acquired Hernandez in 2009 in the trade that sent Nate McLouth to the Atlanta Braves. The 24-year-old made his major league debut earlier this season, collecting two hits over his 10 at-bats for the club.

Hernandez has spent most of the season playing for the Pirates’ Triple-A affiliate. Over his 224 at-bats, he maintained a line of .268/.364/.362.

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Were the Pirates right to demote Tabata?

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