Cook (hand) made a pair of starts in the Pirates' first three Grapefruit League games over the weekend, going a combined 1-for-5 with a run scored, an RBI and a stolen base.
Cook finished the past season on the shelf at Triple-A Indianapolis due to a hand injury, but he looks to be fully healthy for spring training. The 27-year-old will be competing for a reserve spot in the Pirates' Opening Day outfield, but the fact that he has two minor-league options could work against him in his efforts to break camp with the big club.
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Pirates' Billy Cook: Shut down with hand injury
Rotowire
Triple-A Indianapolis placed Cook on its 7-day injured list Sunday due to a hand injury, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Cook hadn't played since being hit on the hand by a pitch in an Aug. 3 game, and though he said Saturday that he had shown improvement in his recovery, Indianapolis still chose to deactivate him. The 26-year-old has slashed .245/.321/.379 with eight home runs and 13 stolen bases in 380 plate appearances for Indianapolis this season.
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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: 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: 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: 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: 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.
