The same year, he was selected to participate in the XM Satellite Radio All-Star Futures Game as a member of the World Team, which consisted of 25 highly touted prospects from across the globe.

On 26 July 2008, Tábata was acquired by the Pirates with Ross Ohlendorf, Jeff Karstens, and Daniel McCutchen from the Yankees in exchange for Xavier Nady and Dámaso Marte.

[2] Tábata was called up from the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians to make his major league debut on 9 June 2010.

[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.

On a 2–2 count, a pitch inside clipped Tábata on the elbow guard, ending Scherzer's chance for a perfect game.

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.

[19] On 30 June 2016, Tábata signed with the Tigres de Quintana Roo of the Mexican Baseball League.

[22][23] He spent the entire 2017 season on the disabled list with the Buffalo Bisons, and elected free agency on 7 November.

[30] 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.

[35] Tábata married his second wife, Auromar, in early 2011, and the couple have a daughter, Barbara (born 29 September 2011).