The Pirates recalled Cook from Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday.
Cook has produced a .200/.200/.267 slash line with 18 strikeouts in 45 plate appearances at the big-league level this season. He is likely slated for a reserve outfielder role.
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Pirates' Billy Cook: Returns to Triple-A
Rotowire
The Pirates optioned Cook to Triple-A Indianapolis on Sunday.
The 27-year-old will lose his place on the active roster to Spencer Horwitz (concussion), who was activated from the injured list Sunday. Cook hasn't taken advantage of his chances in the big leagues this year and has a .200/.200/.267 slash line with 18 strikeouts in 45 plate appearances.
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Pirates' Billy Cook: Takes advantage of rare start
Rotowire
Cook went 3-for-4 with a triple, two RBI, two runs scored and a stolen base Sunday against the Guardians.
Cook was in the lineup for only the fourth time since returning to the majors on June 10, and he took advantage of the opportunity. He played a key role in the Pirates' early offensive production, recording an RBI or a run scored in three of the first six innings. While it was a nice showing, Cook isn't a viable fantasy option due to his lack of playing time.
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Pirates' Billy Cook: Back in majors
Rotowire
The Pirates recalled Cook from Triple-A Indianapolis on Wednesday.
With Oneil Cruz (hand) expected to spend roughly a month on the injured list, the Pirates will recall Cook from the minors to round out their outfield unit. The 27-year-old was sent down to Triple-A a few weeks after posting just a .380 OPS through 32 games with the Pirates, but he has since slashed .283/.411/.435 while adding two homers, nine RBI, 10 runs and four steals in 13 contests with Indianapolis.
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Pirates' Billy Cook: Back in big leagues
Rotowire
The Pirates recalled Cook from Triple-A Indianapolis on Sunday, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.
The 27-year-old was sent to Indianapolis on Thursday but will quickly return to the majors with Jared Triolo (knee) landing on the injured list. Cook made the Pirates' Opening Day roster but registered just six plate appearances during the first week of the season, and he's unlikely to have a significant role while Pittsburgh's outfield is in good health.
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Pirates' Billy Cook: Dispatched to Indianapolis
Rotowire
The Pirates optioned Cook to Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday.
Cook will move to the minors in order to clear a spot on the active roster for top prospect Konnor Griffin, who is slated to make his MLB debut against the Orioles on Friday. The 27-year-old Cook slashed .245/.321/.379 across 380 plate appearances at Indianapolis last year, and he'd be a candidate to return to Pittsburgh if one of the big club's outfielders go down with an injury.
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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.
