MLB Player News

The Pirates optioned Cook to Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday, Jose Negron of DK Pittsburgh Sports reports.

He's being sent out to make space on the active roster for Esmerlyn Valdez. Cook has been on the big-league roster since early April but hasn't played much, going 4-for-21 at the plate while making only six starts.

The Pirates recalled Valdez from Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday, Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com reports.

Valdez earned his first promotion to the majors after slashing .253/.381/.506 with 10 homers, 29 RBI and 25 runs scored over 194 plate appearances at Indianapolis. He's worked primarily in right field throughout his minor-league career, making him a logical choice to fill in as Pittsburgh's right fielder while Ryan O'Hearn (quad) is on the injured list. That said, the Pirates recalled Jhostynxon Garcia from Triple-A on Tuesday for a similar purpose, so it's unclear how reps will be divided between the two prospects.

The Marlins acquired Hinds from the Reds on Thursday in exchange for Zach McCambley, Isaac Azout of FishOnFirst.com reports.

Hinds had been designated for assignment by Cincinnati and will now get a fresh start in a new organization. The 25-year-old has huge raw power and has slashed .306/.423/.635 with seven home runs in 23 games this season at Triple-A Louisville. The downside with Hinds is that he has major contact issues, having posted a 42.0 percent strikeout rate thus far at the big-league level. Hinds will likely report to Triple-A Jacksonville initially.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said that Church was scratched from Thursday's lineup versus the Pirates because he's "just a little beat up," Brenden Schaeffer of MLB.com reports.

Church was removed from a game earlier this month after being hit on the left leg by a pitcher, though it's unclear whether this is related to that. Marmol indicated he would prefer to stay away from using Church off the bench Thursday, but the outfielder should be ready to play this weekend in Cincinnati. Jose Fermin is drawing a start in left field Thursday in Church's place.

Young went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's win over the Mets.

The center fielder got plunked in the ribs Monday in the first game of the series and was held out of the starting lineup the next day, but Young returned to action Wednesday and got his revenge by taking Craig Kimbrel deep in the eighth inning. Young has gone yard in each of his last three full games, and while he's slashing just .220/.292/.441 through 18 contests in May, he has launched four of his six homers on the year in that span. His previous career high was three home runs, set over 150 games in 2024.

Marte went 41-for-103 (.398) with six home runs, 22 RBI, eight steals and an 8:16 BB:K over his last 25 games with Triple-A Louisville.

Marte has been with Louisville since being optioned by the Reds in mid-April, and he has produced both at the plate and on the basepaths in a big way. It's unclear how much more the Reds want to see before bringing him back to the big club, but he is doing what he can to force the issue.

Church (undisclosed) was scratched from the lineup for Thursday's game against the Pirates.

There's no word yet on the reasoning behind Church being pulled from the lineup, but the Cardinals should provide clarity soon. Jose Fermin will handle left field and bat seventh for St. Louis.

Garcia is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game in St. Louis.

Garcia started the first two games for the Pirates upon his promotion, going 3-for-9 with a 0:3 BB:K, but he'll grab a seat in Thursday's series finale. Jake Mangum will handle right field for Pittsburgh.

The Cardinals are eyeing June 1 as a target date for Nootbaar's (heels) activation from the 60-day injured list, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Nootbaar homered in his first rehab game with Single-A Palm Beach last week and has since moved up to Triple-A Memphis, going 2-for-6 with a 1:2 BB:K over three contests between the two stops. He's played left field twice and served as a designated hitter once, and Nootbaar is projected to be the Cardinals' everyday left fielder when he rejoins the active roster. The 28-year-old is working his way back from double heel surgery.

Reynolds went 1-for-5 with a double and two RBI on Wednesday against the Cardinals.

Reynolds made his lone hit of the day count, as he delivered a two-run double in the eighth inning. He's had a pair of timely hits to begin Pittsburgh's series against the Cardinals, giving him four RBI in his last two games. Reynolds has hit for modest power this season, but he has taken advantage of an upgraded lineup around him to log 30 RBI in 49 contests.