Watch CBS News

Ray Searage: Gerrit Cole Doesn't Worry Me, But These New Timers Do

PITTSBURGH (93-7 The Fan) – Pirates pitching coach Ray Searage joined "The Fan Morning Show" on Tuesday, and while the Pirates pitching coach is always colorful, he was particularly animated when discussing a couple of topics.

One of them was Gerrit Cole's first start of the season. Cole struggle with his control after battling a rib injury throughout Spring Training.

Searage said that Cole's issues weren't all that surprising, and should be worked out soon enough.

"I liked the way the ball came out of his hands," Searage said. "I knew he wasn't going to be the sharpest tool in the shed, but he went about his business aggressively, didn't let anything affect him. He knows that he's going to have to go through some speed bumps in order to get this down. It's just going to take some time…it could fix itself next start, it could fix itself in two starts from now. But, as we do our [bullpen sessions], and the way we talk to each other, I can tell he's real close."

Searage explained that one of the biggest challenges for Cole is getting used to game action again.

"Out there on the bump, you've got the intensity of a major league game," Searage said. "You cannot replicate that, no matter where you go, no matter what you do. And that intensity level, that adrenaline rush, and learning how to control that adrenaline is going to come back into the scene again, and that's what he's doing real well right now. He's not totally there yet, but G is going to be G and he's going to take care of business, and there's no worry in my point of view."

The other topic that Searage was especially colorful on was the new mound visit clocks, which he is not a fan of.

"You know, of all the people, (the ones) that don't really need a mound clock is the pitching coaches," Searage said. "Because we're odd in years, and we take our time. It's hard. Some of us have broken knees, broken hips, or the ankle, you've got arthritis coming in there. And then they put a clock on us. I'm like, holy Christ, you've got to be kidding me."

"The time limit for us, I think it's really counterproductive," Searage said. "We'll get out there. Just tell us we've got to speed it up a little bit. But, the time clock is like, now you're in a hurry, and then you're going to have to step in a drag when you're coming back."

The interview can be heard here:

Like The Fan On Facebook
Follow The Fan On Twitter

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.