Cole signed a one-year, $800,000 contract Tuesday with the Tokyo Yakult Swallows of Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball, Yahoo Sports Japan reports.

EDGE Analysis

The uncertainty of the 2022 MLB season due to the ongoing lockout along with the fact that Cole likely wouldn't fetch anything more than a minor-league deal in free agency presumably weighed heavily into his decision to head to Japan, where he'll receive a more lucrative guaranteed deal. The 29-year-old was outrighted off the Blue Jays' 40-man roster in September after providing a 2.59 ERA and 27:10 K:BB across 31.1 innings out of the Toronto bullpen between the past two seasons.

Cole (oblique) was reinstated from the 60-day injured list Monday and outrighted to Triple-A Buffalo.

EDGE Analysis

Cole had been out since late May with a strained oblique. He's been with Triple-A Buffalo on a rehab assignment for over two weeks and will now remain there as a regular member of the team, though his 3.14 major-league ERA over the last three years suggests the Blue Jays could add him back to the 40-man roster if they need another arm down the stretch.

Cole (oblique) has been sent to Triple-A Buffalo to begin a rehab assignment, Mitch Bannon of SI.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cole has been on the injured list since late May due to an oblique strain, but he resumed throwing bullpen sessions in mid-July. The right-hander made two rehab appearances in the lower levels of the minors last week and allowed a run on a hit and a walk while striking out one in two innings. As long as he doesn't experience any setbacks, Cole appears to be on track to return sometime this weekend or early next week.

Cole (oblique) has begun throwing bullpen sessions, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cole hasn't pitched since late May due to an oblique strain. He'll be eligible to return from the 60-day injured list in late July and appears to be trending in the right direction, but it's likely he'll need a bit more time given the length of his absence.

Cole (oblique strain) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Saturday, Mitch Bannon of SI.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

He had originally been placed on the IL with neck soreness, but now it's being called a left oblique strain. This clears a spot on the 40-man roster for reliever Tayler Saucedo, whose contract was purchased from Triple-A.

Cole (neck) was placed on the 10-day injured list Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Neck soreness has sidelined Cole since his May 27 appearance, and the issue must be serious enough to justify a longer absence. Cole has impressed with a 1.13 ERA and a 7:1 SO/W ratio out of the bullpen this year, albeit in a small, eight-inning sample size. Jeremy Beasley was recalled Wednesday to fill Cole's roster spot.

Cole is dealing with a sore neck and is day-to-day, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

EDGE Analysis

According to manager Charlie Montoyo, the righty isn't feeling any better than he has in recent days. The neck issue has made Cole unavailable out of the bullpen for the past few games and, though the move has not been made yet, he may require a trip to the injured list.

Cole allowed one walk but fired a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save Wednesday against Atlanta.

EDGE Analysis

Cole was tasked with maintaining a three-run lead, and he managed to shut the door after issuing a one-out walk. He's spent most of the season at the alternate site with Wednesday marking only his second appearance with Toronto. Jordan Romano figures to draw the majority of save chances with Julian Merryweather (oblique) and Rafael Dolis (calf) sidelined. However, Romano appeared in Tuesday's game, and he has not pitched in back-to-back games since returning from the injured list April 24.

Cole's contract was selected by the Blue Jays on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Cole posted a 3.09 ERA and 1.20 WHIP in 23.1 relief innings for Toronto last year and returned to the team as a non-roster invitee this spring. He'll now be available to make his season debut out of the bullpen after right-hander Ty Tice was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo and Alejandro Kirk (hip) was transferred to the 60-day injured list.

Cole signed a minor-league contract with the Blue Jays on Friday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cole was non-tendered by Toronto at the beginning of December, but he'll return to the team on a minor-league contract that will may him $1 million if he makes the major-league roster. The right-hander will appear in major-league camp during spring training and should compete for a spot in the bullpen after posting a 3.09 ERA and 1.20 WHIP over 23.1 relief innings in 2020.