Pirates activate Cole from DL
WASHINGTON – Gerrit Cole started Saturday against the Nationals after the Pirates activated him from the 15-day disabled list.
Cole is 5-4 with a 2.77 ERA and has been out since June 11 with a right triceps strain. He pitched eight scoreless innings over two appearances with Triple-A Indianapolis.
Cole has a 2-0 record and 1.74 ERA in three starts against Washington. Former Frontier League pitcher Tanner Roark (8-5, 3.01) will start for the Nationals.
The 25-year-old Cole, who was fourth in NL Cy Young Award voting last year, didn’t know if there would be any limitations on him in his first start back.
“I’m just excited to not sit on the sidelines all of the time,” he said. “I’m sure they’ll take it inning by inning, see how the game is unfolding.”
To open a spot in the rotation, Pittsburgh moved struggling lefty Jonathon Niese to the bullpen Friday.
Pirates Manager Clint Hurdle wouldn’t disclose a pitch count, saying “we’ll keep an eye on him.” Hurdle said Cole “threw all his pitches and maintained his velocity” at Indianapolis.
Pittsburgh opened a roster spot by sending first baseman-outfielder Josh Bell to Indianapolis. He made his MLB debut July 8 and went 2-for-2 in four games with a grand slam and he reached base in all four plate appearances.