Pittsburgh Pirates: Gerrit Cole goes on the DL; Now what?
Gerrit Cole was just placed on the 15-day disabled list. His absence could hurt the Pirates as the season enters the final month. The rotation is still stocked with talent, but can it hold up while he is missing?
The Pirates announced that Gerrit Cole has been placed on the 15-day disabled list with “posterior inflammation of the right elbow.” This is the second DL appearance Cole has made this season. He previously missed over a month in June due to a strained right triceps.
This season, Cole has a 3.55 ERA with 7.5 K/9, 2.5 BB/9, and a 7-9 win-loss record. These numbers are good but Cole seems like a shadow of his 2015 self where he finished 4th in the National League Cy Young voting. He was a major key in the Bucs’ success last season and will be missed during the final stretch of 2016. The Pirates are now fourteen and a half games back from first place and only a half game back from the wild card.
Left-hander Steven Brault was called up from Triple-A and will replace Cole’s spot in the rotation. This is Brault’s second time joining the Pirates this season. In his earlier call-up, Brault allowed four earned runs in ten innings but has seen some success in Triple-A. He has a 3.70 ERA through 75 1/3 minor league innings and will look to continue that as the Pirates hunt for a Wild Card spot.
Without their ace, the Pirates may be in some trouble entering September. According to the Pittsburgh Pirates depth chart, their rotation now consists of Steven Brault, Ivan Nova, Ryan Vogelsong, Chad Kuhl, and Jameson Taillon.
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The main concern with this rotation is inexperience. Steven Brault (24) had only made 2 major league starts before last night’s game. Ivan Nova (29) was acquired at the trade deadline and is now one of the veterans in this young Pirates rotation. Chad Kuhl (23) has only 8 major league starts under his belt. Jameson Taillon (24) only has 13 major league starts in his career.
The good news for the Pirates is that the majority of that rotation has pitched pretty well. Taillon has a 3.39 ERA through his 13 starts. Kuhl has posted a 3.50 ERA in his 8 starts. Ivan Nova has made 5 starts with the Bucs and has a 2.87 ERA along with a complete game. And the 38-year old, Ryan Vogelsong, has posted a 3.02 ERA through 7 starts and 17 appearances.
The loss of Cole is a big hit to the Pirates during the Wild Card race. But, if Taillon, Kuhl, Nova, and Vogelsong can all maintain their production, they shouldn’t miss him. Missing Cole for a small amount of time may end up helping the Pirates, though. In Cole’s last eight starts, he has a 4.73 ERA and the Pirates have gone 2-6.
This move may end up being a way to get Cole some extra rest right as September starts. Inflammation to his right elbow could be a result of overwork. It wouldn’t be shocking to find out Cole is experiencing fatigue knowing that he pitched more than 200 innings last season for the first time in his career.
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Cole has been a rock for the Pirates rotation ever since his debut in 2013. But now, the Pirates will rely on their other young arms to keep them in the hunt. This short-term break for Cole may be exactly what he needs prior to the Bucs’ potential postseason run. Ultimately, it could end up being the main reason they succeed.