Gerrit Cole experienced highs and lows over the last two seasons. He was the 2023 American League Cy Young Award winner after compiling a 13-4 record and a 2.63 ERA for the New York Yankees. This year, he hasn’t pitched a game after feeling discomfort in his throwing elbow during Spring Training.
The inflammation in his right elbow led orthopedic surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache to rest for up to four weeks. Meanwhile, the Yankees responded by placing him on the 60-day injured list. Missing a bunch of games is new to Cole because he has played at least 19 games since his rookie season with the Pittsburgh Pirates. His 12 games during the COVID-shortened 2020 season are an exception.
Two months have passed, and Cole is back in action. However, he's making his way back to Major League Baseball by testing his arm in Double-A Somerset. The six-time All-Star gave up two hits and struck out five batters in 3.1 innings against the Hartford Yard Goats. He threw 34 strikes out of 45 total pitches.
Gerrit Cole in his first rehab start:
— Talkin' Yanks (@TalkinYanks) June 4, 2024
3.1 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 5 K pic.twitter.com/acz8iUbJmg
While it's a promising rehab outing for Cole, Yankees manager Aaron Boone declared that the pitcher will need a few more minor league games before returning to the Yankees rotation.
Cole's Yankees return is a scary proposition for all opponents. Without him, Luis Gil, Clarke Schmidt, Carlos Rodon, and Marcus Stroman had impressive starts to the 2024 season. Plugging Cole into the roster could boost the Yankees' drive for the league's best record.
-Lance Fernandez