Pirates Make Roster Move to Create Konnor Griffin’s Spot
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PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates had to open a spot on the roster for when they bring up Konnor Griffin ahead of their home opener.
The Pirates announced that they optioned outfielder Billy Cook to Triple-A Indianapolis on April 2, which will allow them to add Griffin to the 26-man roster before the series with the Baltimore Orioles at PNC Park, April 3-5.
Pittsburgh still needs to make room on the 40-man roster for Griffin and will designate someone for assignment before first pitch of the home opener.
Cook made the Opening Day roster for the first time in his career, but hardly played in the first six games with the Pirates.
He featured in three games, the final two games in the first series of the season vs. the New York Mets at Citi Field, March 28-29, and then the series opener vs. the Cincinnati Reds on March 30 at Great American Ball Park.
Cook came in as a defensive substitution in right field in the bottom of the 10th inning on March 28 and came on as a pinch-runner on March 29 in the 10th inning, scoring the go-ahead run, then played in right field, making the game-clinching out in the 4-3 victory.
He also came on as a pinch-runner with two outs in the top of the ninth inning vs. the Reds, but the Pirates would lose that one 2-0.
What This Moves Means for the Pirates Going Forward
Cook was the fifth outfielder for the Pirates, who generally go with Oneil Cruz in center field, Bryan Reynolds in left field and Ryan O'Hearn in right field, with Jake Mangum coming off the bench as a versatile option that plays all three outfield spots.
His most important role on the Pirates the past two fames was hoisting the cone, a new celebration for the Pirates dugout whenever a good play happens and a play on a shirt fanatics released that fans were initially confused by.
Cook will now go down to Triple-A, where he will look to get more at-bats and earn more playing time, especially if the Pirates need outfield depth going forward the rest of the season.
Nick Yorke will now work as that fifth outfielder, as he can play both corner oufield spots and is the main utility player on the roster.
Griffin will serve as the starting shortstop and Jared Triolo will now move to third base in place of Nick Gonzales, who heads to the bench. Brandon Lowe will keep on at second base and so too will Spencer Horwitz at first base.
Dominic writes for Pittsburgh Pirates On SI, Pittsburgh Panthers Pn SI and also, Pittsburgh Steelers On SI. A Pittsburgh native, Dominic grew up watching Pittsburgh Sports and wrote for The Pitt News as an undergraduate at the University of Pittsburgh, covering Pitt Athletics. He would write for Pittsburgh Sports Now after college and has years of experience covering sports across Pittsburgh.