Gerrit Cole will make a rehab appearance for the Indianapolis Indians on Tuesday, according to an Indianapolis press release. Cole hasn’t pitched since June 10th, being out for about a month with a right triceps strain. This will be his first outing, and it’s currently unknown how long he will be on his rehab assignment.
If Cole is available after this one rehab appearance, then he could return on Sunday against the Cubs for the final game before the All-Star break. If he’s not ready to return after one rehab start, then he could make another on Sunday, and then return for the first game of the second half against the Nationals after the break. That might end up being a better option, since he would be able to start the very next game for the Pirates, while getting some extra rehab to prepare for his return. That said, it would be tempting to bring him back against the Cubs to close out the first half.
Either way, it’s good to see that Cole is now on his way back.