The Pittsburgh Pirates announced that Gerrit Cole has been activated from the disabled list for tonight’s start. To make room on the active roster, they have optioned Josh Bell to Indianapolis.
Cole left his last start with the Pirates on June 10th after two innings with a strained right triceps. He made two rehab starts with Indianapolis since then, throwing a total of eight shutout innings. He went five innings in his last start on Sunday.
Bell played four games for the Pirates off the bench, all as a pinch-hitter. He walked twice, singled and hit a grand slam. The Pirates said all along that his stint in the majors would be brief and he would only be used off the bench.
There were some questions as to whether the Pirates might put Gregory Polanco on the disabled list today and keep Bell. This move doesn’t necessarily mean that won’t happen. Players normally have to be down for ten days before they are recalled, but that doesn’t apply if someone is put on the disabled list. Bell was still with the Pirates in Washington today during batting practice, which brought up the possibility that he could be staying.
