On Tuesday the Pirates announced that they'd placed right-hander Gerrit Cole on the 60-day disabled list with what's being termed "posterior elbow inflammation." He won't pitch again this season. Cole's 206 campaign ends with a 3.88 ERA (108 ERA+) and 2.72 K/BB ratio.
Last season, Cole lived up to his substantial potential by pitching to a 149 ERA+ and 4.59 K/BB ratio in a career-high 208 innings. For his efforts, he finished fourth in the NL Cy Young balloting. In 2016, though, he's battled injury -- he previously spent more than a month on the DL with a triceps strain and was also previously put on the DL with elbow inflammation -- and ineffectiveness. At this point, the Pirates are just looking to get him healthy in time for 2017, as their chances at the postseason for 2016 are rapidly approaching zero. Cole, 25, will be arbitration-eligible for the first time this winter.
In advance of the Cole news, the Pirates acquired veteran left-hander Wade LeBlanc from the Mariners in exchange for cash or a player to be named. This season, LeBlanc has a 4.50 ERA in 11 games, eight of which have been starts.
