Cook and Yorke are already on the 40-man roster and those cuts make just 13 position players remaining in both Major League Camp and the 40-man roster, so that puts them on the team for Opening Day.<\/p>\n
What This Means for the Pirates Opening Day Roster<\/p>\n
Yorke will serve as the Pirates’ main utility option, especially after they optioned Tyler Callihan<\/a> to Triple-A, plus, Jared Triolo<\/a> serving as the every day third baseman.<\/p>\n He’s earned a number of opportunities in Spring Training, with 17 starts at various positions in the infield and outfield. This includes six starts at second base, five starts at third base, three starts at first base, two starts in right field and one start in left field. <\/p>\n Yorke will provide help in both corner outfield spots and also serve as depth at both second base for newly acquired Brandon Lowe and for Triolo at third base, plus first base when needed.<\/p>\n Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Nick Yorke (38) hits a sacrifice to score Horwitz from from third base in the eighth inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Pittsburgh Pirates at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025. The Reds won, 2-1. | Sam Greene\/The Enquirer \/ USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images<\/p>\n He’s performed well from the plate as well in Spring Training, slashed .267\/.320\/.378 for an OPS of .698 in 18 games, with 12 hits in 45 at-bats, a triple, a home run, five RBI, three walks to four strikeouts and three stolen bases.<\/p>\n Cook will provide depth in the outfield and get his first real chance to play in the major leagues with the Pirates. <\/p>\n The Pirates added Cook via trade at the 2024 deadline and he spent most of September with the team, but just three games at the major league level in 2025, as outfielder Bryan Reynolds went on paternity leave.<\/p>\n Cook has gotten 12 starts in the Grapefruit League, with seven starts in center field, five starts in left field and three starts in right field. <\/p>\n He has had a decent showing hitting wise in Spring Training, slashing .256\/.370\/.487 for an OPS of .857, with 10 hits in 39 at-bats, three doubles, two home runs, seven RBI and six walks to 13 strikeouts.<\/p>\n Cook will serve as a bench option with Jake Mangum<\/a> for outfield depth, as Reynolds<\/a> will be in left field, Oneil Cruz<\/a> will play in center field and Ryan O’Hearn<\/a> will feature mostly in right field.<\/p>\n Pirates Opening Day Position Players (Groups)CatchersInfieldersNick GonzalesSpencer HorwitzBrandon LoweJared TrioloInfielders\/OutfieldersOutfieldersBilly CookOneil CruzJake MangumBryan ReynoldsDesignated Hitter<\/p>\n![\"Pittsburgh](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/01kmbb51y9982fcj807s.jpg\" "\\"Pittsburgh")
<\/p>\n