Pirates Roster Moves: Bryan Reynolds Returns, Bullpen Down to One Lefty

The Pittsburgh Pirates announced a slew of roster moves ahead of Saturday’s game against the Texas Rangers at PNC Park.

Outfielder Bryan Reynolds is back off the paternity list and takes the roster spot of outfielder/first baseman Billy Cook, who was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis.

Reynolds has played in 71 games with the Pirates this season and carries a .222/.295/.360 batting line with 10 doubles, two triples, eight home runs and 39 RBIs.

Reynolds is playing right field and batting third in Saturday’s lineup vs. Texas.

Cook appeared in three games after filling in during Reynolds’ absence and went 2 for 6 with a run scored. He made his MLB debut with the Pirates last season and hit .224 with a .673 OPS, three home runs and eight RBIs in 16 games.

The Pirates also placed left-handed reliever Ryan Borucki on the 15-day injured list with low back inflammation. Borucki left Friday’s loss early accompanied by assistant athletic trainer Tony Leo.

Borucki has logged 25.2 innings this season across 29 relief appearances this season and is 1-3 with a 5.26 ERA, 11 walks and 26 strikeouts.

Right-handed reliever Hunter Stratton was recalled by Pittsburgh from Triple-A Indianapolis. The 28-year-old made a pair of appearances with the Pirates earlier this season and allowed four runs in 1.2 innings.

With Indianapolis this season, Stratton is 0-1 with a 3.65 ERA in 21 appearances. He hadn’t allowed a run over his last six appearances (7.2 innings).

The move leaves Caleb Ferguson as the lone left-hander available out of the Pirates’ bullpen.