Gerrit Cole Will Start Saturday for Pirates

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Jun 19, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Gerrit Cole (45) looks on from the dugout against the Cincinnati Reds during the seventh inning at PNC Park. The Pirates won 4-3 in twelve innings. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Pittsburgh Pirates skipper Clint Hurdle announced that right-hander Gerrit Cole will be his starter on Saturday against the New York Mets.   The corresponding move to the rotation wasn’t announced–the start was scheduled to be made by right-hander Edinson Volquez.   Hurdle didn’t provide any more details in his pre-game comments.

Gerrit Cole is a big part of the Pirates future and we-need-to-win-right-now plans.  When Cole was removed from the Pirates rotation after he pitched against the San Diego Padres many thought the Bucs would be in trouble.  But despite not having their BAMF pitch since June 4, the Bucs have been the hottest team in the NL Central.  The Pirates allowed Cole to remain in the game and he was hit hard by three batters and came forward afterward to let the team know he had pain in his throwing shoulder.   Cole worked through his rehab and the flame thrower fired 83 pitches in a six inning simulated game on Monday in Tampa Bay.   The Bucs said he felt good yesterday, hence the timing of the announcement today.

Hurdle also announced that left fielder Starling Marte doesn’t have a concussion.  the news before Wednesday’s game against Tampa Bay.   The Bucs young outfielder cleared a concussion test today and the skipper said Marte was feeling “much better.”    Marte left last night’s game in the fifth inning with what certainly looked like a concussion, or the popular concussion-like symptoms.

The Bucs speedster and TOOTBLAN specialist was injured when he was trying to steal second base.    Hurdle said he has a swollen finger on his throwing hand and would be out for the series finale against the Rays.  Marte slid head first into the knee of Tampa Bays Rays second baseman Sean Rodriguez.

All in all, it adds up to another important player being on the bench today against southpaw David Price.