Gerrit Cole Injury Latest Pirates Disappointment

May 29, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Gerrit Cole (45) in the sixth inning of the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Gerrit Cole and the word injury are three words nobody wanted to see in a paragraph, but unfortunately, it’s true.  The Pirates best starter in 2014 has shoulder fatigue and will miss his start against the Brewers.  It was apparent that Cole had lost something during his last start against the San Diego Padres.  Russell Martin saw it immediately and went to the mound after Cole threw a fastball that only registered 91 on the gun.   We couldn’t help but notice  too.

Unfortunately Clint Hurdle decided to let him pitch through it and the Padres jumped all over the Pirates ace.  Now it appears that the injury to Gerrit Cole will have the right hander headed for the disabled list.   Well, let’s just say it should have him headed to the DL.  The Pirates should have made the decision for Cole, not putting him on the DL today only confuses the situation.  We have talked enough about the Pirates indecisiveness this season, and still are having a hard time understanding why he wasn’t pulled immediately.

With Cole likely to be out according to people around the team, it’s even more troubling to note that Charlie Morton has some challenges as well and Jeff Locke will start today against the powerful and NL Central leading Brew Crew.

When it rains.  It pours.

A Pirates rotation that many considered to be a strength going into the offseason is now on the ropes.  A.J. Burnett didn’t return.  Jameson Taillon had Tommy John instead of getting an expected promotion to the team around this time of the season.

The injury to Gerrit Cole really comes at a bad time after being the most reliable starter in the rotation.  Now with the news on Morton–who has  received very little defensive help behind him, it’s a big ball of disappointment for the Bucs in 2014.  The starters rarely go deep into games and now the rotation might include Jeff Locke and Vance Worley before Tuesday hits.

Gulp.