OAKLAND, Calif. — The biggest game at Oakland Alameda Coliseum began at 2 p.m. Friday when right-hander Gerrit Cole stepped on the mound and fired his first pitch. The simulated game, featuring rehabilitating right-handers Cole and Ryan Vogelsong and catcher Francisco Cervelli, was watched only by coaches and won’t help the Pirates record, but it was an important step.
Cole (right triceps strain) went through a normal pregame progression and threw 45 pitches in two simulated innings, facing hitters Josh Harrison and Adam Frazier. Vogelsong (orbital fracture) threw 40 pitches. Manager Clint Hurdle said the pitchers looked “very good.