Cole throws bullpen session, awaits evaluation
PITTSBURGH -- Gerrit Cole threw a 30-pitch bullpen session Wednesday, and the Pirates are going to evaluate the right-hander before deciding on a rehab plan of action.
Cole left a July 4 start against the Phillies with tightness in his right lat and is on the disabled list for the second time this season. Manager Clint Hurdle has already said Cole will make a rehab start before rejoining the Major League rotation -- something he didn't do after developing right shoulder fatigue in June -- but doesn't yet have an exact timeframe of when that will happen.
"[Pitching coach Ray Searage] said it went very well," Hurdle said of Cole's bullpen session. "It was fastball, changeup. It was 30 pitches. So after he settles down [Friday], we'll revisit and plan the next step."
In his second season with the Pirates, Cole is 7-4 with a 3.78 ERA, 1.307 WHIP and 78 strikeouts in 14 starts (85 2/3 innings).