Dental complications affect Alvarez, Tabata

PITTSBURGH -- Even professional athletes aren't immune to the horrors of a dentist's office.

Pedro Alvarez was not in the Pirates' starting lineup Thursday after having two wisdom teeth removed that morning -- a day after his two-run double sparked the Bucs' four-run seventh inning in their 5-3 win over the Tigers. Manager Clint Hurdle said he sent Alvarez home and told him to come back if he felt better.

Alvarez posted a photo on his Instagram account of himself with puffed-up cheeks and an icepack wrapped around his face.

Jose Tabata, who is on the 15-day disabled list with a strained oblique, also had some dental complications this week.

A root canal procedure delayed the start of his physical activity and rehab, although Hurdle said Tabata began working out some Wednesday night and will ramp it up throughout the weekend.