PITTSBURGH -- With their rotation struggling and a season-high five-game losing streak looming, the Pirates had to put ace right-hander Gerrit Cole on the shelf Tuesday afternoon.
Pittsburgh placed Cole on the 15-day disabled list with a right triceps muscle strain. Cole left Friday's 9-3 loss to the Cardinals with right triceps tightness after facing one batter in the third inning. In Cole's place, the Pirates called up prospect Jameson Taillon for the second time in a week.
Cole has been the most reliable pitcher in an otherwise unstable rotation, going 5-4 with a 2.