The Pirates are encouraged Cole (elbow) isn't suffering from ligament damage, GM Neal Huntington said Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Speaking on his weekly radio show, Huntington said that all of the medical reports have prescribed rest -- as opposed to surgery -- as the best way to recover from the injury. Until Cole actually gets back out on the mound and says he feels good, however, there will remain some lingering doubt about the health of his elbow.

The Pirates are reportedly ready to shut Cole down for the season, Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cole returned from an elbow injury to start Monday's contest, but he struggled mightily, leading some to believe that his elbow was not back to full strength. With their playoff hopes fading, it seems that the Pirates are content with simply giving their ace an extended offseason and getting him fully ready for 2017. With this development, Drew Hutchison and Steven Brault could garner some more starts down the stretch.

Cole (7-10) was battered in his return to the rotation, allowing five runs in two innings on Monday against the Phillies. He gave up four hits, walked four, and struck out three.

EDGE Analysis

Cole was making his first start since August 24, and it did not go according to plan. After entering August with a 2.78 ERA, Cole has watched that figure balloon to 3.88, due to the 18 earned runs he's coughed up in his last four starts. The 26-year-old will try to get back on track Saturday against the Reds.

The Pirates activated Cole (elbow) from the disabled list Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Cole is ready to go after missing nearly three weeks with his sore elbow. He will jump right back into the rotation and take the ball Monday against the Phillies, a team he has limited to seven earned runs in 29.1 innings (2.15 ERA) over five career matchups.

Cole (elbow) is scheduled to rejoin the Pittsburgh rotation Sept. 12 in Philadelphia, Stephen Nesbitt of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cole has progressed from flat ground to a bullpen session this week, and all reports of his health have been positive so far. Given the timing of his expected activation, it's possible Cole is sent on a brief rehab assignment before getting his next start in the majors, though a date hasn't been scheduled for that just yet.

Cole threw 30 fastballs in Saturday's bullpen session and said his elbow is not a concern, MLB.com's Adam Berry reports.

EDGE Analysis

He focused on repeating his delivery and said that everything felt good. The Pirates have not yet announced what the next step in Cole's recovery will be, but everything appears to be trending in the right direction.

Cole (elbow) threw a bullpen session before Saturday's game, MLB.com's Adam Berry reports.

EDGE Analysis

This is a step in the right direction, as he last threw off flat ground Friday. The Pirates have a plan mapped out for Cole, with the intention of him returning before the end of the season, but it is unclear what the exact timetable looks like. Stay tuned for reports about how Cole felt after the bullpen session and what the next step in his recovery may be.

Cole (elbow) threw on flat ground Friday, Stephen J. Nesbitt of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

Although Cole plans to return before the season is over, an expected return date has yet to be set. The team will likely have a better idea of when Cole will return to the rotation after he begins pitching from a mound and increasing the intensity of his throwing sessions.

The Pirates expect Cole (elbow) to be able to pitch again this season, Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

EDGE Analysis

An MRI cleared Cole of any ligament damage but he is dealing with inflammation in his elbow, and there has been speculation that the inflammation may be the result of a bone spur. Cole was, however, able to play catch Tuesday according to Adam Berry of MLB.com, and the team seems to think he will be able to return at some point in September. Any future plans for the right-hander will likely be tentative as the Pirates wait and see how Cole responds as he progresses through his throwing program.

Cole was placed on the disabled list Monday with elbow inflammation, Bill Brink of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

Although an MRI showed that Cole didn't have any ligament damage in his elbow, he'll still need a stint on the disabled list. At this point in time, an estimated return for Cole isn't known. In a corresponding move, Steven Brault was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis to fill Pittsburgh's empty roster spot.