BRADENTON, Fla. -- Pirates ace Gerrit Cole threw 20 pitches off the mound Monday morning and reported no lingering discomfort after being held back by right rib inflammation at the start of Spring Training.
"Good to see him on the mound," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said.
Cole threw fastballs and a few changeups to catcher Chris Stewart during a bullpen session alongside fellow starters Ryan Vogelsong, Jon Niese and Francisco Liriano. It was Cole's first time throwing off the mound this year, which still leaves him slightly behind schedule as pitchers begin preparing for the regular season.