Cole Tucker Activated Off IL; Tucupita Marcano Optioned Back Down

Cole Tucker has been activated off the COVID IL for the Pittsburgh Pirates. To make room on the roster, the Pirates have sent down infielder Tucupita Marcano to Double-A Altoona.After the game on Friday, Marcano was seen cleaning out his locker and getting hugs from his teammates.

Tucker, along with Bryan Reynolds, were placed on the COVID IL on the 26th. Reynolds was activated a day later, whereas it took Tucker two extra days to be cleared. Tucker has had a rough go of things early in the season with a .171 batting average and an OPS of .391.

Marcano appeared in one game for his cup of coffee with the Pirates and saw two at-bats where he got his first hit and extra-base-hit of the year. Marcano has split time between the outfield and the infield for Double-A Altoona in ’22 but has seemed to find a home in left-field.

General manager Ben Cherington most likely has Marcano’s number on speed dial with the constant revolving door in the outfield and the need for extra bats due to injuries.