Burnett to be activated, Pirates to skip Gerrit Cole's start
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The Pittsburgh Pirates will skip their All-Star starter's spot in the rotation this week - but plug in another.
Gerrit Cole, who has logged 180 2/3 innings, has already surpassed his career-high in innings by more than 42 IP from a season ago.
"He's already past his workload," Hurdle said via the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "We'll find a way to unplug him for a start. ... We've had it mapped out for a while. He's good with it. He understands the situation, and he wants to finish the season."
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Stepping up in his place will be A.J. Burnett, who was placed on the disabled list July 31 with a flexor strain in his right elbow.
On the season, Burnett is 8-5 with a 3.05 ERA while Cole owns a 16-8 record with a 2.54 ERA.
(h/t Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)