Cole underwent an MRI on his elbow which showed no ligament damage, Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Pirates sent Cole for an evaluation after an uncharacteristically poor run of starts -- Cole's ERA has ballooned from 2.73 to 3.55 in his last five outings. While no ligament damage was found, he's not completely in the clear yet, as Stephen Nesbitt of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette is reporting that Cole could have a bone spur. He will miss Monday's start at the very least.

Cole (elbow) will not make his next scheduled start Monday against the Cubs, Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cole has experienced uncharacteristic struggles over his last three starts, giving up a total of 31 hits and 13 earned runs while striking out just 12. The right-hander is dealing with some soreness in his throwing elbow, and he'll fly to Los Angeles on Sunday to have the elbow examined. At this point, it's unclear if the 25-year-old is dealing with anything serious, but a further update should come sometime Sunday. The Pirates are yet to announce who will start in Cole's place Monday.

Cole (7-9) allowed five runs on seven hits, struck out four and walked one in a loss to the Astros on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander just hasn't been himself lately, as he's lost three straight decisions. Over his last 16 innings, Cole has allowed 14 runs (13 earned) on 31 hits. Prior to Wednesday, he actually yielded 12 hits in two straight appearances. His triceps injury obviously hurt, but Cole hasn't really been right all year. Lefties are hitting .320 against him, and his swinging-strike rate is down nearly 2.0 percent from last year, resulting in fewer strikeouts. Cole will try to get right in his next appearance Monday against the Cubs.

Cole didn't factor into the decision Friday against the Marlins, giving up three earned runs on 12 hits and three walks over 6.2 innings in Friday's 6-5 loss to the Marlins. He struck out five.

EDGE Analysis

Cole was hit hard for a second straight start, giving up 12 hits after having yielded that same amount versus the Dodgers last Saturday. He notably gave up his first homer since way back on May 20 when he yielded a 403-foot solo shot to JT Realmuto to center in the sixth, a blast that was followed up by 387-foot bomb from Christian Yelich in the next frame. While he was able to limit the damage overall, the right-hander has now given up nine runs (eight earned) on 24 hits and three walks over the 11 frames encompassing his last pair of trips to the mound. Cole will try to bounce back when he takes on the Astros next Wednesday.

Cole (7-8) gave up six runs (five earned) on 12 hits over 4.1 innings in Saturday's 8-4 loss to the Dodgers.

EDGE Analysis

While he didn't surrender any homers, Cole gave up five two-baggers and the most hits he has in a start all season. It was also the 25-year-old's shortest outing since July 16 against the Nationals, and he equaled the most runs and earned runs he'd surrendered in a start all season as well. Cole has now dropped four of his last six decisions and will try to reverse recent course when he takes on the Marlins next Friday.

Cole (7-7) gave up four runs on three hits and three walks over 5.2 innings Sunday while striking out six in a 7-3 loss to the Reds.

EDGE Analysis

He didn't allow many baserunners but unfortunately the person he was allowing on base was Billy Hamilton, who stole third base twice off Cole among his own four steals and five (in five attempts) on the game for the Reds. Aside from his brilliant complete-game win over the Mariners at the end of July, Cole has had difficulty lasting deep into games since he returned to the rotation, throwing just 20.2 innings in his other four starts in July and August. He'll look for a better result in his next start Saturday on the road against the Dodgers.

Cole (7-6) allowed a pair of runs over five innings, while scattering seven hits and two walks, and striking out four in a win over the Braves.

EDGE Analysis

Cole needed 97 pitches to get through five innings, mostly due to his nine baserunners allowed. His 65 strikes in 97 pitches aren't terrible, but fantasy owners were probably hoping for just a little more from Cole against a last-place Braves team. Cole held Freddie Freeman and Matt Kemp, the big bats for the Braves, to 0-for-9 combined, but it was the bottom of the Braves lineup that caused danger: the seven and eight hole hitters collected two hits apiece. Cole now has a 2.73 ERA and 1.28 WHIP, and will next take the hill against the Reds on Sunday.

Cole (6-6) dazzled Wednesday against the Mariners, tossing a complete game in which he allowed just one run on three hits and no walks while striking out six.

EDGE Analysis

Cole was quite efficient on Wednesday, needing just 93 pitches to retire 27 Mariners as the Pirates cruised to a 10-1 blowout win. The complete game was Cole's first of his four-year career and came at a much-needed time for fantasy owners. Cole had lost his previous two starts since returning from a month-long DL stint in late June and early July. Cole now has a 2.78 ERA and a solid 73:23 K:BB ratio on the season. He'll look to keep things going next week in Atlanta.

Cole (5-6) gave up an earned run on six hits and a walk over six innings in Friday's 4-0 loss to the Phillies. He struck out seven.

EDGE Analysis

He looked considerably better than in his first start off the DL last Saturday versus the Nationals, notching first-pitch strikes on 18 of the 26 hitters he faced and inducing 14 swinging strikes overall. Cole also stayed away from the long ball once again, marking his sixth consecutive appearance without surrendering a round-tripper. The 25-year-old will look for some run support, and his first victory since May 20, when he takes on the Brewers on Friday.

Cole (triceps) reported no new problems following Saturday's start against the Nationals, GM Neal Huntington said Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Speaking on his weekly radio show, Huntington said Cole looked rusty and was missing his spots. The Pittsburgh starter did flash glimpses of dominance, striking out four straight batters (including Bryce Harper). After a five-week layoff, look for Cole to pitch better in his next outing.