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Pirates AAA Manager Says Jose Tabata Has 'Really Turned His Career Around'

PITTSBURGH (93-7 The FAN) - Pittsburgh Pirates AAA Manager Dean Treanor joined the Starkey and Mueller Show to talk about the talent at the AAA level, who could help the Pirates at some point this season and Jose Tabata's career.

While many inside and outside of the Pirates organization had given up on Tabata, Treanor said he believes the outfielder has turned over a new leaf and could be a real asset to the major league club.

"I'm really glad you asked about him," Treanor said. "I really believe that he has really turned his career around. I know there were thoughts whether he was even going to get back to Pittsburgh, but we had several talks early here. I got him with our strength coach here, Ricky White, and I just told Jose he needed to get in better shape and he just made a commitment to doing that and doing everything he can to get back there and help the Pirates."

Treanor also talked about another player who's about ready to help the big league team out, and that's Charlie Morton. Morton made two rehab starts with AAA Indianapolis and Treanor tells us what he saw from him.

"This last one was very, very good for the first four or five innings," Treanor recalled. "His first four innings here the other night, he was unhittable, really over-matched the team we were facing. I saw some really good things. The sinker really played the other night, they were swinging over it. The curveball, he was freezing guys on that."

Morton is expected to join the Pirates rotation the next time through, taking Vance Worley's spot as he has been sent to the bullpen recently.

Click the audio link below to hear more from Treanor on prospect Nick Kingham's injury, how close John Holdzkom is to being ready to pitch again, the contributions starter Casey Sadler could make to the major league team is he's called upon and what he has seen from Gregory Polanco this year and how he can get out of his slump.

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