BRADENTON, Fla. -- The Pirates have lined up their ace for his Grapefruit League debut. Gerrit Cole is scheduled to pitch two innings in the Pirates' game against the Tigers on Sunday at McKechnie Field.
Cole has been working on a slightly delayed schedule due to right rib inflammation, which kept him from throwing off the mound at the start of Spring Training.
On Monday, he threw an inning of live batting practice and an inning in a simulated game on a back field. Cole is expected to throw a side session in the bullpen Thursday, setting him up for Sunday's 1:05 p.