Cole has opted out of his minor-league contract with the Red Sox, Joe McDonald of the Worcester Telegram & Gazette reports.
Cole had a 5.14 ERA and 19:2 K:BB in 28 innings for Triple-A Worcester this year. His most recent big-league action came with the Angels in 2019, when he posted a 5.23 ERA in 20.2 innings.
Cole agreed Wednesday with the Red Sox on a minor-league contract that includes an invitation to big-league spring training, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.
The 32-year-old right-hander hasn't pitched in affiliated ball since 2019 while spending the past two seasons recovering from shoulder surgery. Prior to having the shoulder procedure, Cole turned in a 4.97 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 14.1 K-BB% over 88.2 career innings in the majors. He'll get a token chance to audition for a spot in Boston's Opening Day bullpen, but he'll most likely begin the 2022 campaign at Triple-A Worcester.
Cole announced Thursday via his personal Instagram account that he had shoulder surgery Wednesday.
Cole has been dealing with a shoulder issue since late July. After attempting to rehab through through the injury, surgery ultimately became the best option for the right-hander. Cole was already a long shot to see substantial major-league work this year, but Wednesday's surgery will almost certainly end Cole's season entirely.
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Angels' Taylor Cole: Dealing with shoulder injury
Rotowire
Cole has a shoulder issue, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.
It's unclear when the injury first cropped up for the 31-year-old, and the severity of it is also unknown. Cole seems unlikely to be available for the start of the season, though he there's a decent chance he wouldn't have been on the Opening Day roster regardless.
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Angels' Taylor Cole: Gets spot on 60-man roster
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Cole will be part of the Angels' 60-man roster.
Cole, who is not on the 40-man roster, was slated to begin the season in Triple-A prior to the shutdown, but will now get another shot to break camp. The right-hander didn't fare will with the Angels in 2019, posting a 5.92 ERA in 38 games (six starts). His FIP stood at a respectable 3.29, however, so it's possible a bit of bad luck was in play. He'd likely be lined up for low-leverage situations should he get a chance to appear in the shortened season.
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Angels' Taylor Cole: Remains in organization
Rotowire
Cole went unclaimed on waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Salt Lake on Wednesday.
The 30-year-old was designated for assignment Sunday but will remain with the Angels after clearing waivers. Cole had 38 big-league appearances in 2019 but struggled with a 5.92 ERA, 1.59 WHIP and 50:24 K:BB over 51.2 frames.
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Angels' Taylor Cole: Bumped from 40-man roster
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Cole was designated for assignment by the Angels on Sunday.
Cole was essentially ruled out of the bullpen mix for Opening Day after being optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake last week, but his path back to the majors is now more complicated after was DFA'd. The 30-year-old struggled in 2019 with a 5.92 ERA and 1.59 WHIP across 51.2 innings for the Angels. Cole is likely ticketed for Salt Lake once the season resumes, assuming he goes unclaimed on waivers.
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Angels' Taylor Cole: Sent down to minors
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Cole was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake on Sunday.
Cole appeared in 38 games with the Angels last season, registering a 5.92 ERA and 1.59 WHIP over 51.2 innings. Both his strikeout rate (21.6 percent) and walk rate (10.4 percent) were worse than league average, making his chances of earning an Opening Day bullpen spot unlikely. Cole was similarly uninspiring in Cactus League play, walking five batters and allowing three earned runs over four innings, though he did strike out eight batters.
Cole was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake on Friday.
The 29-year-old hasn't been very good in 43.2 big-league innings this season, posting a 6.80 ERA and 1.67 WHIP. His numbers in 20.2 frames for Salt Lake aren't particularly encouraging either, as he owns a 5.23 ERA and 1.73 WHIP. He'll be a low-leverage bullpen option down the stretch.
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Angels' Taylor Cole: Sent to Triple-A
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Cole was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake on Tuesday.
Cole owns an unimpressive 6.80 ERA and 1.67 WHIP with a 44:21 K:BB over 43.2 innings this season in the big leagues, so he'll head back to the minors following the return of Keynan Middleton (elbow) from the injured list.
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Angels' Taylor Cole: Earns relief win
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Cole (3-4) allowed just one hit over 1.2 scoreless innings, earning the victory in a 6-5 win over the White Sox on Saturday.
Cole did well to suppress the White Sox during his appearance, and he became the pitcher of record as the Angels pieced together a four-run rally in the bottom of the seventh inning. Cole has alternated between strong and sloppy in August, allowing four or more runs in three of his six appearances this month. The 29-year-old has a 5.40 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and 39:17 K:BB across 40 innings this season.
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Angels' Taylor Cole: Lit up in first inning
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Cole (1-3) was hit with the loss after giving up five runs on five hits and a walk while striking out two over one inning Monday night against the Reds.
Much like his last appearance as an opener, Cole was hit hard by the opposition from the start. He surrendered five runs in the first inning, putting his team in a big hole early on. The 29-year-old right-hander's ERA jumped from 2.94 to 5.14 over his last two outings after allowing nine runs over just 1.1 frames. It would be surprising to see the Angels use him as an opener moving forward considering the struggles Cole has had of late.
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Angels' Taylor Cole: Will open Monday
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Cole has been named the opener for Monday's game against Cincinnati, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
Cole was roughed up during his last opening appearance, allowing four runs while recording just one out Friday against Cleveland, though he'll get another opportunity to open in the series opener. Patrick Sandoval, who is slated to make his big-league debut, will serve as the primary pitcher.
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Angels' Taylor Cole: Hammered as opener
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Cole (1-2) took the loss Friday, giving up four runs on four hits and a walk over one-third of an inning in a 7-3 defeat at the hands of Cleveland. He struck out one.
The right-hander fumbled the baton badly as the Angels' opener, allowing the first five batters he faced to reach base. Cole saw his ERA balloon by more than a full run as a result of this outing, and he now sports a 3.97 ERA and 33:16 K:BB with one win and two holds in 22 appearances (34 innings).
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Angels' Taylor Cole: Opening Friday
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Cole will serve as the opener Friday at Cleveland, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.
Cole has a 2.94 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 32:15 K:BB over 33.2 innings this season and will once again work as the opener. Dillon Peters is slated to follow as the primary pitcher Friday.
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Angels' Taylor Cole: To serve as opener Tuesday
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Cole will open Tuesday's game against the Dodgers, J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.
Cole fared well in his last appearance as an opener, tossing two scoreless innings Friday against the Mariners. He'll get another chance to open in the series opener, with Felix Pena expected to follow as the bulk reliever.
