Cole threw six scoreless innings at the Pirates' minor-league complex Saturday, John Dreker of Pirates Prospects reports.

EDGE Analysis

Given that the Pittsburgh ace suffered no apparent setbacks, look for him to make his season debut during the first weekend in Cincinnati. After a rocky spring which included a contract controversy and rib injury, Cole appears set to give the Pirates and fantasy owners another season of elite pitching.

Cole could stay behind in Florida when the Pirates head north for the opening series against St. Louis, Root Sports Pittsburgh reports.

EDGE Analysis

The thinking is that Cole would start one more minor-league game in Florida before starting for the Pirates in Cincinnati during the first weekend. The righty struggled with his consistency Monday, but at least he got his work in -- he threw 83 pitches -- and avoided reinjuring his ribcage. For whatever reason, Cole hasn't pitched well at all in Cincinnati, compiling a 4.30 ERA and 1.35 WHIP in 23 innings and four career starts at Great American Ballpark.

Cole surrendered two earned runs on eight hits and a walk while striking out four in a 6-4 loss to Minnesota Monday.

EDGE Analysis

It was only his second appearance in MLB spring training thus far and it appears he's still working out some kinks. Cole is returning from a rib injury he suffered before spring training so any live game action is positive news from a purely health standpoint. Although the return from his injury may cause him to be out of order in the rotation for Opening Day, he's in line to make a start for the Pirates sometime in the first week of the regular season.

Cole (rib), who allowed one run in three innings Friday against minor leaguers, believes he's in line to pitch sometime during the opening week of the regular season, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

EDGE Analysis

He threw 29 of 50 pitches for strikes against the Yankees' Triple-A team, reaching 98 mph with his fastball. "It felt good," Cole said. "I thought the curveball was really crisp. It stayed with me through the outing. The fastball command got progressively better. ... I got the pitch count up."

Cole (ribs) made his Grapefruit League debut Sunday, yielding two runs on two solo homers in two innings. He struck out one batter and didn't allow a walk.

EDGE Analysis

He made it through the outing with no apparent ill effects and will use the final three weeks of spring training to build up his arm. Cole totaled 37 pitches, sitting 92 mph while maxing out at 96 mph.

Pirates manager Clint Hurdle wouldn't say whether Cole (rib) will be ready for his first regular-season start, Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hurdle said Cole will be at the 6-inning/100-pitch mark by Opening Day. The righty hasn't pitched yet during spring training -- he's expected to make his Grapefruit League debut Sunday.

Cole (ribs) is scheduled to make his spring debut Sunday and throw two innings, Travis Sawchik of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cole had a successful bullpen session Monday, so it appears that the Pirates are confident enough in where he's at physically that they can schedule him to appear. Assuming all goes well in the next coming days, Cole will slot back into his role as the ace of the Pittsburgh rotation.

Cole threw a successful, 37-pitch bullpen session Monday, Stephen Nesbitt of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cole has been slowed by a rib-cage injury this spring training so his bullpen session is a step in the right direction for his recovery process. The right-hander used all four pitches with command and said "It went well" which is obviously good news for the Pirates. The 25-year old is coming off a breakout 2015 campaign in which he went 19-8 and had a 2.60 ERA and 202 K's. The flame-thrower is scheduled to throw another bullpen session Wednesday and he hopes to be ready by the start of the regular season.

Cole (ribs) will throw another batting practice session before the Pirates determine whether or not he's ready to progress to game action, Stephen Nesbitt of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cole threw his first live batting practice session of the spring Friday, and all indications are that he fared well with no setbacks. Assuming that's the case after this next session, he could be cleared to return to spring game action within the next week or two. Regardless, Cole's status for Opening Day doesn't appear to be in much jeopardy.

Cole (rib) was cleared to throw his first live batting practice session of the spring Friday, Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

EDGE Analysis

There has been no word yet on how the session went, but no news is usually good news. Cole was slated for a couple simulated innings, each consisting of 15 pitches or so. This injury does not seem to be anything that would jeopardize Cole's status for Opening Day, but we will continue to monitor him until he's pitching in spring games.