The New York Yankees (43-19) are about to have a first-world problem on their hands. An elite starting pitching rotation will soon welcome back the reigning American League Cy Young, Gerrit Cole.
The veteran ace made a rehab start for the Double-A Somerset Patriots on Tuesday in what his first brush of in-game action since suffering an elbow injury in Spring Training. He threw 45 pitches, allowed only two hits and struck out five batters while walking none in 3 1/3 innings pitched against the Hartford Yard Goats.
This is a pivotal first step towards Cole's long-awaited Yankees return. It is still unclear when he will join the club and make his 2024 debut, but exceptional progress is being made.
“Definitely close,” Cole told the media after the Patriots' 5-4 loss, per Yankees Videos. “I'm not sure how many more we'll need but definitely closer rather than farther away. It should be right around the corner here.”
The 33-year-old will likely aim to increase his pitch count to 60 in his next rehab outing and then reassess the situation. It will also be important to monitor how his elbow feels on Wednesday after this start. Assuming Cole clears all these hurdles, however, there is a legitimate chance he is back in New York by next week.
Although Gerrit Cole is refraining from setting a specific timetable for himself just yet, the Bronx should be busting with glee knowing that its top hurler is expected to return well before All-Star break. The happiness only expands when people realize that the Yankees already own the best record in the American League.
What will they be capable of at full strength? Fans are sleeping soundly as they contemplate the answer to that question. Someone will be the odd man out, though.
Who will Gerrit Cole replace in Yankees' rotation?
Manager Aaron Boone can temporarily go with a six-man rotation if he so chooses, but one of New York's starters is inevitably headed to the bullpen. While rookie Luis Gil has been floated as a candidate to receive this dishonor, due to the organization's potential plan to limit his pitch count (underwent Tommy John surgery in 2022), the right-hander could be the current frontrunner for Cy Young.
Gil continued his sensational season on Tuesday, throwing six scoreless innings of one-hit baseball and striking out six in the Yankees' 5-1 victory versus the Minnesota Twins. Marcus Stroman (2.73 ERA) and Carlos Rodon (3.09 ERA) are both collecting a pretty penny for their services while also posting productive years to this point. Clark Schmidt, who has been a pleasant surprise in his own right, was just placed on the 15-day injured list, but he will presumably slot back into his regular role when ready.
That means the fanciful Nestor Cortes could realistically be working as a reliever in the second half of the season. He has the highest ERA in the starting staff at 3.46 and is coming off a rough 2023 campaign. The team's desire to have another veteran lefty in their rotation could spare him the move, but Gil feels untouchable right now.
This abundance of riches could be a complication as the year progresses and a surefire way to upset Yankees fans once again. For now, though, they should bask in the latest Gerrit Cole news. The man widely considered to be the best pitcher in baseball is inching towards Yankee Stadium.
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