Jose Tabata injury: Pirates outfielder leaves game with tight hamstring

The outfielder left the game after stealing second base.

By Connor Moylan May 1, 2013, 8:00pm EDT

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Jose Tabata left the game on Wednesday in the eighth inning after experiencing hamstring tightness after sliding into second base.

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The Pirates were tied 4-4 with the Milwaukee Brewers in the top of the eighth when Tabata took off for second base. Tabata successfully stole second, but was in noticeable pain afterwards and needed some assistance to leave the field.

Pittsburgh announced that Tabata will undergo an MRI on Thursday to learn the extent of the injury. The team did not speculate on how much playing time the outfielder will miss, presumably waiting until the results of the MRI to comment.

The 24 year-old has struggled at the plate so far this year, hitting .178./.260/.289 through his first 51 plate appearances. Tabata appears to be the victim of some tough luck early in the season, as he currently sports a .194 BABIP.

Travis Snider came in the game as a pinch-hitter, then moved to right field to replace Tabata. Snider and Tabata have split time in the outfield during the first month of the season. The southpaw has hit more successfully than his right-handed counterpart, as he owns a .300/.382/.417 triple slash line in his first 68 plate appearances.

If Tabata is forced on the disabled list, Pittsburgh could recall outfielder Jerry Sands from Triple-A to continue the platoon with Snider. Sands has hit well in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization for the past three seasons, but is currently hitting .145/.235.171 through his first 86 Triple-A plate appearances this season.