Pirates active Gerrit Cole for Saturday start at Nationals

WASHINGTON (AP) Gerrit Cole will start Saturday against the Nationals after the Pirates activated him from the 15-day disabled list. Cole is 5-4 with a 2.77

WASHINGTON (AP) Gerrit Cole will start Saturday against the Nationals after the Pirates activated him from the 15-day disabled list.

Cole is 5-4 with a 2.77 ERA and has been out since June 11 with a right triceps strain. He pitched eight scoreless innings over two appearances with Triple-A Indianapolis.

Cole has a 2-0 record and 1.74 ERA in three starts against Washington. Tanner Roark (8-5, 3.01) will start for the Nationals.

Pirates Manager Clint Hurdle wouldn't disclose a pitch count, saying ''we'll keep an eye on him.'' Hurdle said Cole ''threw all his pitches and maintained his velocity'' at Indianapolis.

Pittsburgh opened a roster spot by sending first baseman-outfielder Josh Bell to Indianapolis. He made his MLB debut July 8 and went 2 for 2 in four games.