CHICAGO — The Pittsburgh Pirates 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.

 Manager Clint Hurdle said the decision to have Jung Ho Kang continue his injury rehab in Indianapolis instead of Chicago has nothing to do with an investigation into the infielder for an allegation of sexual assault.

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Kang traveled with the team to Milwaukee, but went to Triple-A Indianapolis to work out when the team traveled to Chicago for a three-game series against the Cubs.

Hurdle said the lack of facilities at Wrigley Field and the team’s workout schedule were the main reasons for the move.

Police said last month that a 23-year-old woman reported being assaulted by Kang inside a hotel, but the 29-year-old Kang has not been charged.

CUBS: Right-hander John Lackey, who has a strain in his throwing shoulder, threw a bullpen session Monday at home, and Manager Joe Maddon said he is scheduled to throw a second bullpen session during Chicago’s homestand before a decision is made about when he will be activated.

METS: Left-hander Steven Matz, working through shoulder problems, threw a bullpen session and is expected to throw another one before coming off the disabled list to start Thursday against Miami rather than Wednesday, Manager Terry Collins said.

INDIANS: Cleveland put right-hander Danny Salazar on the paternity list.

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Salazar had a strong first half and made the American League All-Star team, but hasn’t won since July 19. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a sore elbow Aug. 2 and allowed nine runs in five innings over two starts after being activated.

Salazar is 11-6 with a 3.88 ERA in 23 starts.

TWINS: Center fielder Danny Santana went on the 15-day disabled list with a sprained left shoulder.

Santana was injured when he collided with left fielder Robbie Grossman in the first inning Sunday in Toronto. He left the game the following inning and was examined Monday.

Santana, a switch-hitter, is batting .240 with two homers, 14 RBI and 12 stolen bases for Minnesota, which has lost 10 straight games.

GIANTS: Outfielder Hunter Pence has missed three consecutive game with tightness in his right hamstring.

 Reliever Derek Law was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right elbow.

DODGERS: Andre Ethier (broken right tibia) went 0 for 3 and played four innings in right field for Rancho Cucamonga in his second rehab game.

Ethier has been out since spring training.


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