Yankees News: Gerrit Cole’s First Rehab Start Date Set
The New York Yankees have been one of the best teams in baseball this season despite missing their ace, Gerrit Cole. Cole was diagnosed with nerve irritation and edema in his pitching elbow following just one appearance in spring training. The reigning American League Cy Young Award winner has yet to make his season debut, but New York has continued to find ways to win.
However, we could be on the cusp of Cole returning. Yankees manager Aaron Boone said on Sunday that Cole would make his first rehab start on Tuesday of this coming week. Cole had thrown some bullpens prior to this announcement, but this was the first real step toward his eventual return to the mound. He was eligible to come off the injured list on May 27, but the Yankees have been very cautious with their ace.
Getting Cole back will be a welcomed sight for the Bronx Bombers, giving them more firepower to have in their arsenal. Cole has been one of the best pitchers in baseball over the last few seasons, so his absence has been magnified. Last season, he posted an ERA of 2.63 and a WHIP of 0.98 in route to winning the Cy Young.
While New York has won many games without Cole, getting him back will relieve some of the stress on the players who have been filling in. New York has the World Series on its mind, and Cole will ultimately play a major role in helping them reach the goal. Assuming he gets through the rehab start alright, he will probably make a couple more before he returns to the major leagues.
Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images
Boone seemed to slow down Cole’s return to the Yankees, noting that they have to check a lot of boxes before it happens.
“I try not to get ahead of myself with it,” Boone said. “Let’s just keep checking boxes, keep moving the needle. Ever since he got shut down, I feel like it’s moved in a good direction the whole way. It’s just about continuing to move toward that point.”
The Yankees’ rotation took a big hit this week, with right-hander Clarke Schmidt landing on the injured list with a right lat strain. They should be able to manage themselves well without him, but this news about Cole gives some hope. New York is and always has been a World Series-or-bust organization, and they feel like one of the two teams destined to reach the fall classic this season.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
