Pirates' Gerrit Cole: Set to throw simulated game

Cole will throw two innings in a simulated game Sunday, Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

Analysis:

Cole dealt with bouts of elbow inflammation last season and has been cautiously eased into spring training activity. After finishing fourth in Cy Young voting in 2015, he recorded a career-worst 3.88 ERA last season and was shut down in September. Nonetheless, if all goes well, expect the former All-Star to see Grapefruit League action soon.