Bucs option displaced Bautista Acquisition of Andy LaRoche leaves little room for infielder By Jenifer Langosch / MLB.com 08/13/2008 11:00 PM ET == PITTSBURGH -- Recently relegated to a bench role, third baseman Jose Bautista was packing his bags after Wednesday's game upon learning that the Pirates had optioned him to Triple-A Indianapolis. Pittsburgh had to make a roster move in order to clear space on the 25-man roster for Adam LaRoche to return from the disabled list on Thursday. "It doesn't feel good," Bautista said, shortly after learning the news. "I didn't see this coming. There's not really much to say on that." It had become increasingly evident as the season progressed that Bautista was not a part of the organization's plans. A slow start to the season pushed him into a platoon role throughout much of May. And then, after getting the starting job back for a while, Bautista lost it entirely when the team acquired third baseman Andy LaRoche in a deal prior to the July 31 Trade Deadline. On Aug. 1, after naming Andy LaRoche the team's starting third baseman, manager John Russell said he would use Bautista in a utility role. However, that never really transpired. Of the five games LaRoche missed with a bruised thumb, Bautista started just three. His other four plate appearances since the beginning of the month came as a pinch-hitter. "They said I was going to move around and they were going to try and get me in the lineup any way they could," said Bautista. "But that obviously didn't happen." It's unclear what Bautista's role with Indianapolis will be. With Neil Walker already engrained as the team's third baseman, there is no room for Bautista to start there. And while Bautista also plays the outfield, the team already has three outfielders -- Andrew McCutchen, Nyjer Morgan and Chris Duffy -- as well. Regardless, Russell said the Pirates intend to find Bautista somewhere to play. "Obviously, he's not going to get to play a lot now with Andy here," Russell said. "Rather than him just sitting around and getting down, we'll let him play a little. We'll see where we go in September. He needs to go play and not sit around here." Bautista has a .242 average this season, the second-lowest average among all National League third baseman. He hit 12 homers and had 44 RBIs through Wednesday's game. But asked if he felt he was given a fair chance by the organization this season, Bautista replied: "I don't believe so, but everyone's entitled to a different opinion. They obviously feel like they did." There is a chance Bautista could return to Pittsburgh as a September callup. However, with the future at the hot corner appearing to lie with LaRoche and Walker, Bautista could well be one of the players the club decides to part ways with during the offseason. Bautista would be entering his second season of arbitration eligibility. He is making $1.8 million this year. "We'll see how things go" Bautista said. "I think [an organization change] would definitely work my way if there is a change, so I am definitely open to that." --

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