The Pirates may shift Gerrit Cole to the bullpen in September and October. "Possibly later," manager Clint Hurdle said when asked about a potential shift. The Pirates could use a four-man rotation of Francisco Liriano, A.J. Burnett, Jeff Locke and Wandy Rodriguez (if he's healthy) in the playoffs, putting Cole into the bullpen for the first time in four years. The rookie Cole is open to the potential shift, though Pittsburgh hasn't yet solidified its plans. "That's really a conversation that doesn't really have any legs at this time whatsoever," Hurdle said. "It's more of a thought that's popped over a couple heads, but there hasn't been any lengthy conversation." Cole has thrown a career-high 134 innings this year between the majors and minors, topping the 132 frames he tossed last season. Pirates general manager Neal Huntington has Cole on an undisclosed pitch count, but wants the rookie available in the postseason, a plan differing from Washington's use of Stephen Strasburg last year.

Gerrit Cole improved to 6-5 on the season after yielding two runs over six innings against the Diamondbacks on Friday. Working on more than a week of rest, Cole struck out five and walked two. The rookie right-hander has now walked two batters or fewer in 11 out of his 12 starts in the big leagues. The Pirates are watching his innings carefully, but he's expected to be available if the club makes the postseason. He'll bring a 3.88 ERA and 1.14 WHIP into a favorable matchup against the Padres in San Diego next week.

Gerrit Cole's next start has been pushed back to Friday. The Pirates are using the off day Monday as a way to give Cole some extra rest. They'll go with Charlie Morton, Francisco Liriano and A.J. Burnett against the Cardinals.

Gerrit Cole allowed four runs in five innings in a no-decision against the Marlins on Thursday. Cole gave up six hits (including a two-run homer to Christian Yelich) and one walk while striking out four. This tied for his shortest outing since coming up to the majors while the four runs allowed were a career-high. Still, with a 3.95 ERA and 1.14 WHIP through 11 starts, he has held his own in the big leagues so far. He'll have a tough test next week in an important start against the Cardinals in St. Louis.

The Pirates do not plan on shutting Gerrit Cole down early this season. They'll do what they can to get him extra rest down the stretch, but the plan is to keep him in the rotation for the remainder of the season. Cole threw 132 innings last year and is already at 129 this year, but the Pirates aren't concerned about what should be a roughly 50-inning jump.

Gerrit Cole struck out six, but was handed his fifth loss of the season on Friday after surrendering three runs on three hits and a pair of walks over 5 1/3 innings against the Rockies. Troy Tulowitzki tagged him for a solo homer in the second inning, and added an RBI single in their two-run uprising in the sixth that chased Cole from the game. The studly young right-hander now sits at 5-5 on the season with a 3.69 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 43/14 K/BB ratio through 61 innings. He'll draw the Marlins next at home on Thursday.

Gerrit Cole surrendered three earned runs on four hits and two walks over seven innings Sunday as the Pirates fell to the Marlins. The rookie struck out a career-high eight batters in defeat, nice to see after he entered the contest having punched out just 29 in 48 2/3 innings. The young right-hander has been incredibly consistent with the Pirates, allowing three runs or less in all nine of his starts. Cole falls to 5-4 with a 3.56 ERA and 1.13 WHIP.

Gerrit Cole surrendered three earned runs in five innings Sunday as the Pirates fell to the Mets. He struck out five, walked two and gave up six hits. Cole won each of his first four starts after a promotion on June 11, but he's now lost his last three outings. The young right-hander has been incredibly consistent with the Pirates, allowing exactly two or three runs in all seven of his starts. Cole rounds out the first half 4-3 with a 3.89 ERA and 1.30 WHIP.

Gerrit Cole will start on Sunday against the Mets. Cole owners can thank Jeff Locke's sore back for this gift. Pittsburgh had discussed sending Cole to the minors during the All-Star break, but his necessity on Sunday may scuttle those plans. Pittsburgh announced its post-break rotation prior to Saturday's game: Francisco Liriano, A.J. Burnett, Jeff Locke, Charlie Morton and Cole, respectively.

The Pirates are considering optioning Gerrit Cole to the minors during the All-Star break. It makes sense, as Cole made his final start of the first half on Tuesday and the Pirates won't need a No. 5 starter until July 23. The good news is that Cole, according to MLB.com's Tom Singer and Steven Petrella, "appears to be locked into the Pirates' rotation going forward."