Yankees’ Ace Gerrit Cole is Inching Closer to MLB Return After 3 Rehab Starts

Gerrit Cole with the Houston Astros in 2018
Gerrit Cole with the Houston Astros in 2018. Photo by Trask Smith/CSM/Shutterstock (9719808e)

New York Yankees’ ace Gerrit Cole has recently completed his third rehab start in the minors and is inching closer to making his debut in the 2024 MLB season.

Cole was shut down during spring training after experiencing elbow inflammation in his pitching hand. Since then, he has been progressing well and recently managed to go through 70 pitches on Friday with Yankees’ Triple-A affiliate Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders.

Speaking with reporters on Saturday, Cole said that he “feels good” and could return to the Yankees’ rotation sooner than later.

“It feels like it’s coming together,” Cole said. “Regardless, I don’t anticipate coming back with a 100 pitches, so there’s a ways to go. The closer and closer you get, the more excited you get.”

Yankees’ manager Aaron Boone, on the other hand, said that the team will evaluate the 2023 AL Cy Young Award in the coming days before making a decision.

“We’ll just look at these next couple of days and decide if it’s another rehab start or just bringing him [here],” Boone said. “Obviously, he’s going to have a huge say in that, especially if it’s another rehab start.”

The Yankees have the luxury to be cautious with Cole thanks to a great start to the 2024 campaign. The New York team is currently sitting first in the American League East and has MLB’s best record at 50-22.

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