Alvarez, Tabata among Bucs’ cuts

The Pirates optioned top prospects Pedro Alvarez and Jose Tabata to Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday morning as part of eight cuts made by the organization.

Jonathan Van Every and Doug Bernier were reassigned to Minor League camp. Rehabbing pitchers Tyler Yates, Craig Hansen, Neal Cotts and Jimmy Barthmaier were also reassigned to the Minors, though those four will all begin the season on the disabled list.

Alvarez and Tabata arrived at camp unlikely to dent the Opening Day roster, but intent on proving that they are just about ready to make an impact in Pittsburgh. And even though management cites specific development goals for both, the two are projected to be in Pittsburgh sometime this season.

“They both showed some things to really be excited about this spring, but both also showed that there is some development left,” general manager Neal Huntington said, shortly after informing both of the club’s decision. “In both cases, [we’re] really excited about their development and they’ll show us how quickly they’re ready to go.”

Huntington also clarified that, in a perfect world, the organization would have kept Alvarez and Tabata in big league camp a while longer. Rather, it was a roster-status rule that forced the Pirates to send the pair out with two weeks left in Spring Training.

Thanks to Murtz.