The Pirates are reportedly ready to shut Cole down for the season, Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cole returned from an elbow injury to start Monday's contest, but he struggled mightily, leading some to believe that his elbow was not back to full strength. With their playoff hopes fading, it seems that the Pirates are content with simply giving their ace an extended offseason and getting him fully ready for 2017. With this development, Drew Hutchison and Steven Brault could garner some more starts down the stretch.