Despite an electric weekend debut, the Pirates are unwillingly to commit to Bell at first base because of his defense, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

EDGE Analysis

He went 2-for-2 with a walk and a grand slam against the Cubs in three pinch-hitting opportunities but did not play in the field. Pirates GM Neal Huntington is looking for Bell to become a "ninth-inning defender." There was some talk that Pittsburgh could put him in right field Sunday with Gregory Polanco (hamstring) ailing, but manager Clint Hurdle didn't think that'd be fair after two years away from the outfield. The team has yet to reveal whether Bell, who's already made 10 errors at first base for Triple-A Indianapolis, will start the second half in the big leagues. Polanco's status will likely determine whether Bell remains with the Bucs or fights for the Triple Crown at Indy.

Bell walked and scored a run as a pinch hitter in Sunday's loss to the Cubs.

EDGE Analysis

While he didn't get a start over the weekend, Bell reached base and scored all three times he was called upon to pinch hit, rapping out a single Friday before launching a grand slam for his first big league homer Saturday. The Pirates' first baseman of the future might get sent back down after the All-Star break to make room for a pitcher, but it's not for lack of trying on his part.

Bell will not play in front of John Jaso at first base, and will likely be going back to Triple-A Indianapolis after Sunday's matchup with the Cubs, Travis Sawchik of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

EDGE Analysis

Manager Clint Hurdle said Sunday that Bell wasn't going to take over first base or even play in front of Jaso on a regular basis, so the 23-year-old slugger will likely go back to Indianapolis over the All-Star break. Bell is not in the lineup for Sunday's series finale against the Cubs as Jaso is slotted in at first.

Bell is not in the lineup for Saturday's tilt with the Cubs, Travis Sawchik of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

EDGE Analysis

As expected, Bell is beginning the weekend out of the lineup as David Freese gets the start at first base and bats second. Bell, one of the majors' biggest prospects, connected for a single in his first big league at-bat and then came around to score. It's tough to say whether Bell will stick around after the All-Star Break but given he slashed .324/.407/.535 with Pittsburgh's Triple-A affiliate this season, it's going to be hard to keep his talents from the majors much longer.

The Pirates plan to have Bell serve as a bench bat this weekend against the Cubs, Stephen J. Nesbitt of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bell is not in the lineup Friday and it sounds like he could stick on the bench Saturday and Sunday, as the Pirates reportedly want to wait until the break to evaluate their roster. With lefty Jon Lester due up for Chicago on Saturday, it's always possible the Pirates could reverse course and give Bell the nod over John Jaso at first base, but it sounds like a start this weekend for Bell is far from guaranteed.

Bell is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Cubs.

EDGE Analysis

Bell got the call to the major leagues Friday but the Pirates will not immediately slot him into the lineup, instead giving the nod at first base to John Jaso once again. It's a little surprising considering Bell was raking with Triple-A Indianapolis and Jaso is 1-for-14 lifetime against Friday's starter Jake Arrieta. Regardless, Bell figures to get the nod Saturday against lefty Jon Lester and it seems unlikely he was brought up to fill merely a short-end platoon role.

Bell will be called up from Triple-A Indianapolis Friday, Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bell has been dominating at the plate with Indianapolis, leading the club with 53 RBI and 13 home runs while posting a .324/.407/.535 line. With John Jaso struggling to produce at the plate over the last month, Bell will likely see time at first base when he makes his MLB debut. However, while he's spent much of the 2016 campaign at first, Bell has experience playing third base as well.

Bell, 23, is batting .382 with one home run and six RBI over his last 10 games for Triple-A Indianapolis.

EDGE Analysis

The refrain remains the same for Bell. He is batting .297/.402/.458 on the season, but has just four home runs in 43 games. The Pirates are currently playing John Jaso at first base, and though he has no more power than Bell, Jaso is batting .303 with a .371 OBP. As such, until an injury or a trade occurs, Bell will continue to bide his time at Triple-A.

Bell, 23, is hitting .290/.385/.450 with three home runs and 17 RBI through 26 games for Triple-A Indianapolis.

EDGE Analysis

Bell has not homered over his last 10 games, though he continues to hit for average. In fact, he has not batted under .274 at any level since entering the minors. Still, his upside as a first baseman, or a corner outfielder for that matter, is limited by his inability to hit the ball out of the ballpark.

The Pirates haven't ruled out Bell as an outfield option in the event of an injury to one of their starters, Pirates Prospects reports. "He has the outfield in his back pocket," GM Neal Huntington noted. "We still want to spend all of our time and energy on first base. He is showing signs of getting better, and will give us more options."

EDGE Analysis

Huntington acknowledged that Bell -- despite gaining muscle mass -- is moving more athletically since his 2012 knee injury. He's currently biding his time behind John Jaso at first base and the outfield trio of Andrew McCutchen, Starling Marte and Gregory Polanco. Jaso has a history of injury and trips to the DL, so it wouldn't be surprising to see Bell debut at first base in the second half of 2016.