BRADENTON, Fla. -- Two years ago, Gerrit Cole won 19 games and finished fourth in the National League Cy Young voting.
After slogging through an injury filled 2016, the Pittsburgh Pirates' ace has set more modest goals for the upcoming season.
"Staying healthy, being able to contribute," Cole said. "Staying disciplined and staying on a routine. Just keep trying to perfect the things I can control is a pretty good goal."
On Tuesday, when Pirates pitchers and catchers held their first workout of spring training, Cole threw a normal bullpen session. He fired 35 fastballs in front of a crowd of a couple dozen fans and several keenly interested members of the Pirates' coaching staff and front office.