BRADENTON, Fla. -- Pirates right-hander Gerrit Cole has been dealing with inflammation in his right rib since mid-January, at least temporarily setting back his Spring Training progression.
Cole said he sustained the injury during his "normal training" this offseason. He is on a slightly modified throwing program, according to head athletic trainer Todd Tomczyk.
"It just got to a point where we needed to take a step back in order to come here and have both feet on the ground and move forward," Cole said. "I'm not too far behind everybody else, but I feel good.