At the age of 17, and in his first year of professional ball, Tábata led the Yankees farm system in batting average when he hit .314 for the Gulf Coast Yankees in 2005.
Tábata was called up from Triple-AIndianapolis to make his major league debut on 9 June 2010. He subsequently singled for his first major league hit in his first at bat.[3] In the top of the fourth, with Neil Walker at bat, Tábata collected the first stolen base of his career. He then tallied his first run of his career, on a single from Walker on the next pitch.
In 2010, he batted .299, and led National League left fielders in range factor/game (2.09). He tied for 8th in the voting for NL Rookie of the Year, behind Ike Davis of the New York Mets.[4]
On 21 August 2011, Pirates general manager Neal Huntington announced a contract extension for Tábata through 2019. Tábata signed with the Pirates through 2016 for $14.75 million guaranteed, with a $250,000 buyout, and an additional three club option years for 2017–2019.[5] On 2 July 2012, Tábata was sent down to the Pirates' AAA affiliate Indianapolis Indians. Tabata was recalled on 19 August 2012, when Starling Marte was placed on the Disabled list.[6] Tábata started the 2013 season off well. On 25 May 2013, Tábata was placed on the 15-day disabled list with an oblique strain and didn't return until early July.[7][8] He was batting .272, with two home runs, six RBIs, and a .744 OPS in just 36 games with the Pirates. Tábata finished up the 2013 season with 6 homers, a career best.
He was outrighted off the Pirates roster on 24 June 2014[9] but was re-added to the roster on 25 August 2014.[10] He was designated for assignment on 3 October 2014.[11] He was called back up by the Pirates on 19 May 2015.[12]
On 20 June 2015, Tábata faced Max Scherzer in the ninth inning, after Scherzer had retired the first 26 batters in order for the Washington Nationals. On a 2–2 count, a pitch inside clipped Tábata on the elbow guard, ending Scherzer's chance for a perfect game. After Tábata took first base, Scherzer induced a fly ball from the next batter that was caught by Michael A. Taylor, preserving a no-hitter for Scherzer. Tábata faced criticism from numerous baseball fans and analysts after the game for leaning into the pitch, although he said afterward he had expected Scherzer's slider to break back toward the plate.[13] Replays confirmed that Tabata moved his elbow guard
down towards the ball. Scherzer did not blame Tábata for breaking up the perfect game, adding, "I probably would have done the same thing."[14][15][16]
Los Angeles Dodgers
On 31 July 2015, Tábata was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for Michael Morse.[17] He was assigned to the AAA Oklahoma City Dodgers, where he hit .225 in 28 games in 2015 and .244 in 30 games in 2016.[18] Tabata was released by the Dodgers on 11 June 2016.[19]
Tábata signed a minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays on 10 February 2017.[22][23] He spent the entire 2017 season on the disabled list with the Buffalo Bisons, and elected free agency on 7 November.[24][25]
On 3 July 2018, Tabata signed with the Guerreros de Oaxaca of the Mexican League. He was released on 10 July 2018.[20] In 6 games he went 3-23 (.130) with 0 home runs and 2 RBIs.
On 8 July 2021, Tábata's contract was purchased by the Sultanes de Monterrey of the Mexican League.[28][29] In 11 games, he slashed .387/.486/.710 with 2 home runs and 4 RBIs. Tábata was released on 4 August 2021.[30]
Personal life
On 23 March 2009, Tábata's wife, Amalia Tábata Pereira, who is 23 years his senior, was arrested and charged with abduction after allegedly kidnapping a two-month-old girl in Florida by posing as an immigration officer; the baby was found unharmed in a shopping center later the same day.[31] Tábata told the media that Pereira, whom he married in January 2008, had told him that she had given birth and that the baby was his.[32] She also lied to him about her age, identity, and criminal background.[33] Tábata Pereira was sentenced to 24 years in prison.[34] The couple had been estranged, with Tábata filing for divorce in early 2010.[35]
Tábata married his second wife, Auromar, in early 2011, and the couple have a daughter, Barbara (born 29 September 2011).[36][37]
