Jose Tabata went 3-for-5 with a double and two RBI in Sunday's loss to the Braves.

After taking a .111/.158/.111 triple slash into Pittsburgh's April 20 game against the Cardinals, Tabata has been steadily heating up, going 11-for-29 (.379) in his past seven games. With the worst apparently behind him, the time to take a flier is now if a frustrated owner dropped Tabata at the apex of his slump.

Jose Tabata is not in the Pirates' lineup for the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Rockies.

Nate McLouth will make the start in right field and bat ninth against right-hander Jhoulys Chacin. Tabata went 1-for-4 in the first game and is now hitting an even .200 (11-for-55) on the year.

Jose Tabata went 2-for-4 with a double in Sunday's loss to the Cardinals.

Incredibly, the two-hit day was just Tabata's second of the season, while the extra-base hit was his first. The silver lining is that his other two-knock performance came on Friday, so it's possible he might finally be heating up. As it is, however, he's bringing an abysmal .170/.220/.191 triple slash into the season's third full week.

Jose Tabata went 0-for-4 in Monday's loss, dropping his average to .118.

It's even worse than the .118 average suggests: Tabata doesn't have a single walk, extra-base hit, run scored or RBI on the season. We'd suggest dropping him in the lineup for a bit until he gets it going, but everyone else besides the Pirates' No. 1 and No. 3 hitters is batting under .200 as well.

Jose Tabata turned in an 0-for-3 performance in Sunday's loss to the Twins.

The 23-year-old has not yet found his groove in 22 spring at-bats, posting a .227 batting average with zero extra-base hits and zero walks. The Pirates are hoping for a rebound year from their starting right fielder.

Jose Tabata (hand) resumed swinging a bat last week.

Tabata was shut down in September due to a fractured bone in his left hand, but he was given the go-ahead after being examined by doctors last week in Pittsburgh. "I was a little nervous because I wanted to feel good," said Tabata. "Now, I am feeling pretty good. I'm ready to roll." The 23-year-old batted .266/.349/.362 with four homers, 21 RBI, 16 stolen bases and a .711 OPS over just 381 plate appearances this past season, but he could prove to be a nice value in fantasy leagues in 2012.

Jose Tabata (hand) will not return this season.

Tabata hasn't played since September 5 after being diagnosed with a small fracture in his left hand. The injury isn't serious, but there's no reason to rush him back. Tabata, who inked a six-year extension last month, will finish the year with a .266/.349/.362 batting line with four homer, 21 RBI and 16 steals over just 334 at-bats in an injury-shortened season.

Jose Tabata will undergo a series of tests Tuesday after leaving Monday's game with wrist troubles.

Tabata was diagnosed this weekend with a tender wrist, and it flared up on him after a strikeout Monday. "We've just got to back away for a period of time," manager Clint Hurdle said. "How long that is, I don't know."

Pirates manager Clint Hurdle plans to give Jose Tabata occasional days off down the stretch in order to rest his left wrist.

Tabata is dealing with just some mild tenderness, but Hurdle wants to be proactive so the ailment doesn't get worse. "It's just maintenance of the issue," Hurdle said. "It flares up from time to time. Is he playable? Yeah. How productive he can be, that's the question." Tabata was slated to get Friday off before having to enter in place of the injured Andrew McCutchen. He could start in McCutchen's place Saturday.

Jose Tabata (wrist) is not in the Pirates' Friday afternoon lineup in Chicago.

Tabata played on both Wednesday and Thursday after resting his wrist on Tuesday, but apparently isn't out of the woods yet. He seems likely to return to the starting lineup on Saturday, however.

Jose Tabata returned to action on Wednesday August 31.

Jose Tabata is out of Tuesday's lineup against the Astros due to mild tenderness in his left wrist.

It sounds like a day-to-day situation. Xavier Paul will make the start in right field Tuesday and bat sixth against right-hander Henry Sosa.

Jose Tabata singled and stole a base in Pittsburgh's loss to the Brewers on Tuesday.

Tabata is now batting .382 with two steals in eight games since coming off the disabled list on August 16. He could be a nice asset down the stretch if you were hurting for speed during his absence.

According to Enrique Rojas of ESPNDeportes.com, the Pirates and Jose Tabata have agreed to a six-year contract extension.

Tabata is signed through 2016 and guaranteed $14.75 million over the life of the contract. He will receive a $1 million signing bonus while his salary for this season increases to $500,000. The 23-year-old outfielder will then make $750,000 in 2012, $1 million in 2013, $3 million in 2014, $4 million in 2015 and $4.5 million in 2016. The team holds options from 2017-19 which would bring the total value of the contract to $37.25 million. Tabata has only appeared in 175 major league games entering play Friday, but this contract will look very good if he continues to progress.

The Pirates and Jose Tabata are nearing agreement on a six-year contract extension.

Such a deal would buy out Tabata's three arbitration seasons and his first year of free agency. Batting .264/.351/.362 during an injury-marred campaign this season, Tabata hit .299/.346/.400 in 441 plate appearances as a rookie in 2010. He just turned 23 on August 12.

Jose Tabata hit a two-run homer in Pittsburgh's loss to the Cardinals on Wednesday.

onight was just Tabata's second game back from the disabled list, but he looked healthy and ready to contribute. If a frustrated owner cut him loose during his lengthy absence, he's a great late-season flier in deeper mixed leagues.

Pirates activated OF Jose Tabata from the 15-day disabled list.

Tabata missed over six weeks with a strained left quadriceps muscle that he suffered near the end of June. He'll return to a .265/.351/.354 batting line, 15 homers and 14 stolen bases. The talented 23-year-old should make regular starts in the Pittsburgh outfield down the stretch.

Jose Tabata (quad) will not be activated Monday.

Tabata has arrived back in Pittsburgh and would seem to be recovered from the strained left quad that he suffered in late June, but the Bucs want to seem him run first before allowing him back in the major leauge lineup. He should be activated on Tuesday.

Jose Tabata (left quad) went 3-for-5 with a run, RBI, and double in Saturday's rehab game with Triple-A Indianapolis.

Clint Hurdle said Tabata took a step forward after Friday's game and his solid performance makes him seem close to a return. The Pirates will reevaluate Tabata after Sunday's rehab game but he is expected to be activated on Monday.

Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said Jose Tabata (quad) "took another step forward last night" in his rehab game with Triple-A Indianapolis.

Tabata will play for Indy again on Saturday and Sunday before being reevaluated. All signs point to him being activated from the disabled list on Monday. He's been out since the end of June with a strained left quadriceps muscle.