Pirates place RHP Gerrit Cole on DL with elbow inflammation

CHICAGO (AP) The Pittsburgh Pirates have placed ace Gerrit Cole on the 15-day disabled list with right elbow inflammation.

Cole pitched five shaky innings in a 5-4 loss to Houston on Wednesday, and then let the team know he experienced some discomfort during the outing. He had a 6.08 ERA in five August starts.

Left-hander Steven Brault was promoted from Triple-A Indianapolis to take Cole's spot in the rotation Monday night at the Chicago Cubs.

Cole's injury means none of Pittsburgh's five starters from opening day are currently in the rotation. Francisco Liriano and Jon Niese left via trade and Jeff Locke and Juan Nicasio are working out of the bullpen.