Cole threw 4.1 innings in relief of Stephen Strasburg on Saturday, giving up two runs on four hits while striking out seven.

It wasn't a bad outing, but it does confirm that Tanner Roark, not Cole, will be taking Doug Fister's spot in the rotation next week. Should Roark struggle though, Cole would be ready to step in.

Cole picked up a long relief save on Friday, tossing three shutout innings and giving up just one hit while striking out one.

He's still expected to take the rotation spot of Doug Fister (forearm tightness), but with his turn not scheduled until Wednesday, Cole was available out of the bullpen. Based on his first major league start he's a dangerous player to add to your roster, but in formats where wins matter more than ERA, the Nationals' red-hot offense could make Cole worth the risk.

Cole was recalled from Triple-A on Friday and will take Doug Fister's spot in the Nationals' rotation for the foreseeable future.

Fister was placed on the 15-day DL Friday with forearm tightness, which does not bode well for his immediate future. Cole was roughed up in the first big league start of his career earlier in the season, but he's more than capable of pitching like a No. 4 or No. 5 starter in the interim, as he heads up a four-pitch mix with a plus fastball that he can locate well when he's on. In deeper leagues he is worth a flier, especially given the run support he figures to get as a starter in the Nationals' rotation.

Cole was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse on Wednesday.

This comes as no surprise as Cole was absolutely rocked in his first big league start and he was only serving as a fill-in for Max Scherzer, who could return to the rotation Friday. Cole is still a top-100 prospect, and could get back to the big leagues again this season to replace someone in the rotation when necessary.

Cole only lasted two innings in his start Tuesday against the Braves, allowing nine runs, four of them earned, on nine hits.

Cole was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse to start in place of Max Scherzer (thumb). Barring a setback from Scherzer, he'll likely make his next start, which means Cole will be back in the minors.

Cole was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse on Tuesday to start against the Braves, MASN's Dan Kolko reports.

Rafael Martin was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse to free up a roster spot for Cole, who may only stick with the big-league club for one outing. Max Scherzer (thumb) is expected to be ready for his next turn in the rotation, but if the Nats' ace suffers a setback or is slow to recover, Cole could get another opportunity. The 23-year-old has a solid but unspectacular minor-league track record, and he'll start his major-league career with a favorable matchup.

Cole will make his MLB debut starting against the Braves on Tuesday, Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post reports.

Cole is in line to start Tuesday with Max Scherzer currently listed as day-to-day with a thumb injury. There's subdued expectations for Cole's first-career start as he currently sits with a 2.40 ERA over three starts on 15.0 total innings in Triple-A Syracuse. The 23-year-old will officially be called up Tuesday with a corresponding roster move still undetermined.

Cole will have his next start skipped in anticipation of potentially filling in for the injured Max Scherzer, Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post reports.

Scherzer is not expected to make his next start, so Cole will be considered as a possible candidate to get called up to the big league team and make a spot start. Tanner Roark is currently viewed as the favorite to fill in, but the club will hold Cole out of his next start just in case. An official decision is expected to be reached later Monday night.

Cole was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse on Wednesday.

The Nationals' top pitching prospect after Lucas Giolito, Cole was added to the 40-man roster in November and took part in spring training with the big club, but the team's ample depth in the rotation precluded him from winning an Opening Day role. Instead, Cole will head back to Syracuse for a second season, after he compiled a 3.43 ERA and 50:17 K:BB ratio over 63 innings last season. It will probably take an injury or two before Cole gets a crack at making his debut with the Nationals.