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Gerrit Cole Discusses Opening Day, His 2016 Injuries, and a Different Vibe This Year

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BRADENTON, Fla. – If you look at his entire career, there’s no doubt that Gerrit Cole should be the Pirates’ Opening Day starter, and the guy at the top of the rotation. Cole has ranked 26th in xFIP out of 175 qualified pitchers from 2013-2016, and those numbers include his down year in 2016. That down year came with a late start due to an injury prior to Spring Training, along with some shoulder issues throughout the season that led to three trips to the disabled list.

Cole is back healthy now, and the Pirates named him their Opening Day starter yesterday.

“It was something that I was working towards, so I was really excited when he pulled me into the office and told me yesterday,” Cole said. “It’s pretty cool.”

This will be Cole’s first Opening Day start, with the last three years going to Francisco Liriano. If last year was all about injuries, then there’s a good chance he could bounce back to his pre-2016 levels in the upcoming season. Cole said he’s got a different vibe this spring, due to feeling healthy. The Pirates seem to be expecting the pre-2016 version of him to return with this move.

“It shows a tremendous amount of faith,” Cole said. “This year is a little bit of a different vibe coming into spring. It’s really special. It’s an honor to be selected to do this. Based off last year, this is a new year, so [Hurdle] made his decision based on what he likes to see this year.”

Cole went on the disabled list at the end of the year for a third and final time with shoulder soreness. He started working on his conditioning at the beginning of the offseason, aimed at preventing problems in 2017.

“Just try to do everything I can to prevent it,” Cole said of the injuries. “Get back in shape and try to make up as much ground as I could. I started a day after the season was over and I haven’t stopped.”

The early assignment for Opening Day will make things easier, allowing him to map out the next month of Spring Training, which Cole said will allow him to take care of business this spring, and not have to worry about the schedule or how he will have to prepare for the season.

This is also a different situation for Cole, since he’s now the leader of the pitching staff, even if he doesn’t want to admit it. Cole deferred to Ivan Nova as having more experience, while referencing that he’s just more familiar in the clubhouse. But the Pirates are looking for Cole to lead the rotation, on the field and off the field.

“It’s a unique position,” Cole said. “I think one thing that we do here is that when we bring in guys, we bring in really quality guys. There’s a tremendous amount of experience in Nova. Pitching in New York is a challenge in and of itself. Being successful and having the career that he’s had is impressive. He brings a lot of leadership to this club. I’m more familiarity. I’ve been through the schedule a million times at this point. Any time I have an opportunity to help out, I try.”

The Opening Day start in Fenway will be Cole’s second trip to the historic park, with his first one being a Team USA workout.

“I’m excited,” Cole said. “I’ve been there once. I’m a sucker for Wrigley, so I feel I’ll probably be a sucker for Fenway, too.”

One thing he’s not worrying about is which Red Sox starter he will have to go up against, with Chris Sale, David Price, and Rick Porcello looking like one of the strongest trios in the game.

“It’s a good problem to have on their end,” Cole said on who the Red Sox might pick for their starter. “I don’t have to hit against them, right? I don’t have to really worry about it.”

So no chance of Cole lobbying to be the DH?

“No, sorry. We’re going to leave that to Bumgarner.”

Tim Williams
Tim Williams
Tim is the owner, producer, editor, and lead writer of PiratesProspects.com. He has been running Pirates Prospects since 2009, becoming the first new media reporter and outlet covering the Pirates at the MLB level in 2011 and 2012. His work can also be found in Baseball America, where he has been a contributor since 2014 and the Pirates' correspondent since 2019.

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