BRADENTON, Fla. -- Pirates right-hander Gerrit Cole got back on the mound Sunday for the first time since the National League Wild Card Game with one goal: Get through it.
After being slightly set back by right rib inflammation to start Spring Training, Cole made his first Grapefruit League appearance against the Tigers at McKechnie Field, allowing two solo home runs and striking out a batter in two innings of the Pirates' 9-5 victory.
"Just wanted to get through this one and get a feel for what's going on," Cole said. "You've got to start somewhere, so we can build off it and move forward.