Right-hander Gerrit Cole took a step forward in his rehab Sunday by throwing off a mound for the first time since going on the 15-day disabled list with a right triceps strain June 11. The Pirates ace tossed 15 fastballs, focused on the timing and consistency of his delivery.
“Had to tell him to back off a little bit,” pitching coach Ray Searage said. “It was very, very good.”
Cole had a 2.44 ERA in 12 starts before the injury. He spent two stints on the disabled list in 2014, his first full season in the majors, and admitted afterward he was a rather impatient patient.