Cole pitched five innings in an intrasquad game Tuesday, allowing one run on one hit and two walks while striking out six, Pete Caldera of The Bergen Record reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cole gave up a home run to Miguel Andjuar in the first inning, but the staff ace was otherwise dominant, retiring the final 10 batters he faced. Perhaps most impressively, Cole was able to complete five frames, unofficially tossing 67 pitches -- 45 of which were strikes. That bodes well for the right-hander's readiness to hit the ground running when he faces the Nationals in the opening game of the MLB season July 23.