Gerrit Cole Shines in Rehab Start, Yankees’ Ace Nearing MLB Return
Sportsgrid Staff
Host · Writer
Gerrit Cole, the superstar pitcher for the New York Yankees, took a huge step toward his Major League Baseball return on Tuesday. The defending AL Cy Young champ dazzled in his debut rehab game with Double-A Somerset this past Tuesday, throwing 3.1 shutout innings against the Hartford Yard Goats, affiliates of the Colorado Rockies, in his first game setting since a spring training injury to his right elbow halted his play. Over the three-plus inning start, Cole held the Yard Goats scoreless, striking out nearly half of the batters he faced, allowing a mere two hits, and keeping the bases clear of walks with a strong command that saw most of his pitches hit their mark.
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Expressing a hopeful yet cautious outlook in Bridgewater, New Jersey, Cole hinted that his return to the major leagues might be closer than anticipated, although the exact timeline remains fluid. His performance, particularly his fastball which hit 97 mph, suggested he’s quickly returning to prime form. Despite a couple of pitches not going exactly as planned, Cole was pleased with his overall ability to control the game and dominate the plate’s various zones.
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Aaron Boone, managing the Yankees before a series with the Minnesota Twins, shared his perspective that Cole’s road back into the starting lineup would likely include several more rehab starts. Boone, who caught a glimpse of Cole’s outing, was impressed with the pitcher’s execution, especially his fastball command and ability to draw swings and misses. This paints a promising picture of Cole’s trajectory back to top-level play.
While no concrete date has been set for Cole’s return, he suggests a June reentry might be on the cards. Stressing the importance of responding to his body’s signals, Cole is taking a measured approach to his recovery. After an earlier pause caused by his elbow’s condition, diagnosed with nerve inflammation and edema, Cole has been methodically working through rehab steps, from rest to bullpen sessions, even engaging in simulated games against hitters to regain his competitive edge.
| American League Cy Young | Odds at FanDuel |
| Tigers: Tarik Skubal | +180 |
| Orioles: Corbin Burnes | +410 |
| Red Sox: Tanner Houck | +1000 |
| Mariners: Luis Castillo | +1200 |
| Royals: Cole Ragans | +1400 |
| Royals: Seth Lugo | +1400 |
As you can see from the above odds, Gerrit Cole is a long shot to go back-to-back with AL Cy Youngs. Still, it’s impressive, that he still commands being on the board at +20000.
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As Cole progresses through his rehab stages with care, the anticipation around his return to the Yankees’ roster builds, signaling an exciting phase for the team and its fans with the star pitcher nearing his comeback.
