Pirates Bring Up Prospect Esmerlyn Valdez for MLB Debut

The Pittsburgh Pirates will promote first base/outfield prospect Esmerlyn Valdez to the majors, optioning Billy Cook; Valdez is already on the 40-man roster and has posted strong numbers in Triple-A this season (10 home runs in 194 plate appearances with a .253/.381/.506 line and 131 wRC+), following a 2025 season with 26 homers across High-A/Double-A. The move further enriches the Pirates’ right-handed bat options at first base/outfield, with potential platoon or flexible playing-time scenarios as Valdez makes his MLB debut.