Pittsburgh Pirates' Gerrit Cole to return versus Washington Nationals on Saturday

Pittsburgh Pirates ace right-hander Gerrit Cole is scheduled to return from the disabled list to start Saturday's game versus the Washington Nationals.

Sidelined with strained right triceps muscle, Cole has worked his way back with a pair of strong rehab starts at Triple-A Indianapolis. The 25-year-old struck out 12 in eight scoreless innings and is prepared to make his first major-league start since June 10.

Cole owns a 5-4 mark with a 2.77 ERA this season, but is 0-1 in his last four trips to the mound.

The top overall pick of the 2011 draft, Cole has posted a 2-0 mark with a 1.74 ERA in three career outings with the Nationals.