Tabata, Volstad DFA'd, as Hernandez and Lombardozzi join Pirates

Dear Washington Nationals,

Jose Tabata was designated for assignment today. He will be available shortly on waivers. He’s very popular in your city.

Here are today’s moves: Tabata DFA’d (third time’s the charm?), Chris Volstad was DFA’d, Gorkys Hernandez and Steve Lomabardozzi recalled from Indianapolis.

It’s the latest in a flurry of fringe-of-the-roster moves for the Pirates this week. Nothing major, but always notable.

Hernandez hasn’t played in the majors since 2012, when he had a cup of tea with the Pirates (2 for 24 in 25 games) before being traded midseason to the Miami Marlins for Kyle Kaminska and Gaby Sanchez. He’s hitting .275 this season at Indianapolis.

We just saw Lombardozzi on the Pirates last month. We barely knew Volstad, who threw two scoreless innings in his short stay here.

Moving Tabata now is somewhat interesting. He wasn’t playing a large role with the Pirates, but is Hernandez a better option? A little surprised it’s not Jaff Decker joining the club, bringing a left-handed and hotter bat to the bench. But it’s Hernandez, and Tabata is gone, back to waivers where he may or may not get claimed.

Again, Nationals, he’s available. Have at him.