Pirates' Billy Cook: Optioned back to Indianapolis
Rotowire
The Pirates optioned Cook to Triple-A Indianapolis on Saturday.
Cook came up from the minors Wednesday when Bryan Reynolds went on the paternity list, and the former will now head back to Triple-A following the latter's return. The 26-year-old Cook went 2-for-6 and scored a run during his time with Pittsburgh.
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Pirates' Billy Cook: Moves up from Triple-A
Rotowire
The Pirates recalled Cook from Triple-A Indianapolis on Wednesday.
Cook has met up with the Pirates in Detroit and will likely be available for at least the remaining two games of the team's series versus the Tigers to provide extra coverage in the outfield after Bryan Reynolds (personal) was placed on the paternity list in a corresponding move. Reynolds will have to be activated by Saturday, at which point Cook will most likely head back to Indianapolis. Cook had spent the entire 2025 season at Triple-A, slashing .266/.350/.329 with no home runs and 10 steals over 62 games.
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Pirates' Billy Cook: Poised for promotion
Rotowire
The Pirates will recall Cook from Triple-A Indianapolis prior to Wednesday's contest in Detroit, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.
He will be the roster replacement for Bryan Reynolds, who is headed to the paternity list. Cook hasn't found his power stroke this season at Indianapolis with zero home runs, but he's slashing .458/.536/.542 in June. The 26-year-old could be on the roster for only a few days while Reynolds is away.
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Pirates' Billy Cook: Loses out on roster spot
Rotowire
Cook was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on Saturday, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.
Cook was in the mix for a role at first base and in the outfield, though he will ultimately begin the season in Indianapolis. He hit only .160 with one extra-base hit across 25 at-bats in Grapefruit League action, but his defensive versatility could earn him a spot in Pittsburgh at some point during the campaign.
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Pirates' Billy Cook: In mix for roster spot
Rotowire
Cook remains a candidate to win a roster spot to begin the regular season, Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Spencer Horwitz's wrist injury has likely opened a roster spot and potential playing time at first base to begin the regular season, with Cook a potential beneficiary. He has only four hits across 25 Grapefruit League at-bats, but his 9:8 K:BB suggests he isn't as overwhelmed as his .160 average suggests. Cook is seemingly competing with Nick Yorke and DJ Stewart for one of the Pirates' final spots on the roster.
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Pirates' Billy Cook: Additional path to playing time
Rotowire
Cook is in contention for playing time at first base with Spencer Horwitz (wrist) sidelined, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.
Cook was expected to compete for a starting corner outfield spot, but Pittsburgh's addition of Tommy Pham likely ended that possibility. However, Cook will now compete with Jared Triolo, DJ Stewart and Darick Hall for playing time at first base. Cook reached the majors for the first time late in 2024 and showed some intriguing potential with three home runs across 49 plate appearances. However, he also struck out at a 38.8 percent clip, so he'll need to show the ability to make more consistent contact to earn steady playing time.
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Pirates' Billy Cook: Chance to earn playing time
Rotowire
Cook will enter spring training with a chance to win the right field job for the Pirates, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.
The Pirates acquired Cook just before the trade deadline in 2024, a move that offered him a clearer path to playing time. Right field is currently unresolved in Pittsburgh, with Nick Yorke, Cook and Joshua Palacios looking like the leading candidates to take the role. In particular, Cook's defensive strength contrasts with Yorke, who is inexperienced in the outfield but would likely have more upside with the bat. This situation will likely remain unresolved for much ofspring training and could be fluid throughout the season.
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Pirates' Billy Cook: Sitting after four straight starts
Rotowire
Cook is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Brewers.
Cook will hit the bench after he went 3-for-14 with a solo home run and a stolen base while starting each of the past four games at four different positions (first base, left field, right field and center field). First base could end up being the primary home for Cook over the final four games of the season after the Pirates moved Rowdy Tellez off the 40-man roster Tuesday.
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Pirates' Billy Cook: Slugs first homer in loss
Rotowire
Cook went 2-for-4 with a three-run homer in Wednesday's loss to the Cardinals.
After going down on strikes in each of his first two at-bats, Cook launched a two-out, three-run homer in the top of the sixth to put Pittsburgh on top 5-4. He would later add a leadoff single in the ninth to give him his second multi-hit performance of the campaign. The long ball was also the first of Cook's big-league career, and he now has five RBI through his first eight games, though he's batting just .208 (5-for-24) over that stretch.
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Pirates' Billy Cook: Successful big-league debut
Rotowire
Cook went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI on Sunday against the Nationals.
Cook had his contract selected from Triple-A earlier Sunday when Henry Davis was put on the shelf with left hand inflammation, then responded with a two-run double in his first big-league at-bat. He later collected a single to round out a successful debut. Cook is a versatile defender capable of playing all over the field and thus could receive an extended look by the Pirates over the final few weeks of the season.
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Pirates' Billy Cook: Promoted, starting Sunday
Rotowire
The Pirates selected Cook's contract from Triple-A Indianapolis, and he'll start at first base and bat seventh Sunday against the Nationals, Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
The 25-year-old was acquired from the Orioles ahead of the summer trade deadline, and he'll make his MLB debut Sunday versus Washington. Cook has an .849 OPS in 115 minor-league games this season and can play all over the field, so he could have a decent path to playing time while up with the Pirates.
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Pirates' Billy Cook: Traded to Pirates
Rotowire
The Orioles traded Cook to the Pirates on Tuesday in exchange for Patrick Reilly.
Cook has impressed since earning a promotion to Triple-A in April, slashing .282/.373/.490 with 43 RBI and 12 stolen bases in 69 games. The 25-year-old has also played every position in the field other than shortstop this season, which may increase his chances of earning a call to the majors later in the year.
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