Gerrit Cole wasn’t ready to come off the disabled list when eligible last week, but the Pirates right-hander is now recovered enough from his shoulder problems to rejoin the rotation Saturday versus the Mets.
Cole last pitched on June 3, but threw an 84-pitch simulated game Tuesday to convince the Pirates that he’s ready to return. Before being shut down with what the Pirates called shoulder fatigue the 23-year-old former No. 1 overall pick had a 3.64 ERA and 69/25 K/BB ratio in 77 innings to build on a very strong rookie showing last season.
