Gerrit Cole surrendered two earned runs in seven innings Tuesday as the Pirates fell to the A's. It wasn't a bad outing from the rookie right-hander, who yielded just five hits and two walks while fanning four. But he got only one run of support and fell to 4-2. Cole will try to bounce back next week in Cincinnati.

Gerrit Cole will remain in the Pirates' rotation following the return of A.J. Burnett (calf) from the disabled list. It's certainly no surprise, as Cole has pitched pretty well overall, posting a 3.70 ERA and 1.23 WHIP over five outings. The Pirates have sent Jeanmar Gomez to the bullpen to clear rotation space for Burnett.

Gerritt Cole took his first loss after allowing three runs in 5 1/3 innings Thursday against the Phillies. The Pirates were up 2-1 in the sixth when Cole was pulled after allowing back-to-back Phillies to reach. Vin Mazzaro came in and retired none of the four batters he faced, adding two runs to Cole's total. Cole was at just 78 pitches when he was removed, so it's not like he was out of gas. Maybe Clint Hurdle will show a little more faith in him next time.

Gerrit Cole wasn't terrific on Friday, but picked up his fourth consecutive victory, allowing three runs on eight hits over his six innings. Cole, who had exhibited tremendous command in his first three starts, issued three free passes in this one while striking out three. All of the damage came in the first inning, but the young right-hander settled in very nicely afterwards. Cole sports a 3.70 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 11/4 K/BB ratio to go along with his 4-0 record. He'll strive for a fifth consecutive victory when he does battle against the Phillies at home on Wednesday.

Gerrit Cole earned his third win in three starts by confounding the Dodgers on Friday night. Cole was close to perfect in tossing six shutout innings before he ran out of gas in the seventh, allowing two runs, including a solo homer to Albert Pujols. He struck out five -- after whiffing just three in his first two starts -- walked one, and scattered four hits over 6 1/3 innings in total. Cole routinely lit up the radar gun with an upper-90s fastball with life. The rookie, 3-0 with a 3.44 ERA and 8/1 K/BB rate over 18 1/3 innings, should be active in all mixed leagues.

Making his major league debut, 22-year-old right-hander Gerrit Cole tossed 6 1/3 innings of two-run ball as the Pirates beat the Giants 8-2 on Tuesday night. Cole was fantastic, holding the defending World Series champions scoreless until the top of the seventh inning to earn a win in his first big league start. He struck out only two batters, but the well-developed youngster did not issue a walk and scattered one double and six singles. Cole will face another tough matchup Sunday at home against the Dodgers but needs to be owned in all mixed fantasy leagues.

Pirates purchased the contract of RHP Gerrit Cole from Triple-A Indianapolis. Cole, the first overall pick in the 2011 draft, will make his major league debut on Tuesday night against the Giants and could be up in the bigs for good. The 22-year-old right-hander was sporting a 2.91 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 47/28 K/BB ratio in 68 innings this season at the Triple-A level. He should be owned in all mixed leagues.

The Pirates have reassigned 2011 No. 1 overall pick Gerrit Cole to minor league camp. Cole didn't appear in a league game last year since he signed right up against the deadline in August, so the move doesn't come as a big surprise. The 21-year-old right-hander is expected to begin his pro career with High-A Bradenton. He packs ace potential.