The Tampa Bay Rays recalled right-hander Alex Cook from Triple-A Durham on Thursday, according to the MiLB transaction log, adding a familiar bullpen arm as the club turns toward the American League Championship Series.
The entry, dated October 8, lists a straight recall of Cook from the Durham Bulls.
For Tampa Bay, the move returns a pitcher who has already shuttled between Durham and the majors several times this season.
Cook, 25, was drafted by the Rays in the 12th round in 2022 out of Colby Community College and was added to the 40-man roster last November.
The Lawrenceville, Georgia, native made his major-league debut on July 31 and appeared in four games for Tampa Bay, working 5.2 innings with a 4.76 ERA, five strikeouts, and two walks.
His last big-league outing came Sept. 18 against Boston, a scoreless inning, one day after he also threw a clean inning against the Athletics. The Rays optioned him back to Durham on Sept. 23 to clear a roster spot for a spot start.
At Triple-A this year he logged 38 appearances, six of them starts, with a 1-4 record, a 4.53 ERA, 48 strikeouts, and a 1.12 WHIP in 43.2 innings.
Across his minor-league career, he has a 3.12 ERA and 205 strikeouts in 167.1 innings, mostly in relief. Listed at 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds, he throws and bats right-handed and has worn No. 54 when with the Rays.
The recall does not by itself lock Cook onto the ALCS roster.
Clubs often bring pitchers up during the postseason window so they are available for a series roster or as injury cover, and Cook has been used that way before, moving with the 28-man September roster and later being sent down when the staff was reshuffled.
What the log does confirm is that he is back in the organization picture less than three weeks after his last option, with the League Championship Series next on the calendar.
Tampa Bay has not announced a corresponding roster subtraction or said whether Cook is expected to pitch. Until the club files its ALCS roster, the MiLB line is the public record: right-hander Alex Cook, recalled from Durham on Oct. 8.
The Rays will await the winner of the Chicago White Sox-Cleveland Guardians series to determine their ALCS opponent.
Tampa Bay won the American League East this season and swept the New York Yankees in the Division Series.
