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