Cole (elbow) could be reinstated from the 60-day injured list to start Wednesday's game versus the Orioles at Yankee Stadium, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.
The Yankees have confirmed Nestor Cortes and Luis Gil as their starting pitchers for games Tuesday and Thursday versus Baltimore, but a starter has yet to be made for Wednesday while the club weighs whether to activate Cole for his season debut or to have him make another minor-league rehab start. While shifting his assignment from Double-A Somerset to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Cole delivered a gem in his third rehab outing Friday, striking out 10 over 4.1 innings while allowing one unearned run on two hits and no walks. He tossed 70 pitches in the start, so Cole would likely have a slight cap on his workload if he were to rejoin the New York rotation Wednesday. If the Yankees decide to have Cole make one more start in the minors, Cody Poteet would likely get another turn through the big-league rotation.
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Yankees' Gerrit Cole: Could rejoin rotation next week
Rotowire
The Yankees are expected to decide this weekend whether Cole (elbow) will need another rehab start or if he's ready to return from the 60-day injured list, Greg Joyce of the New York Post reports.
Cole was dominant in his third rehab start with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Friday, pitching 4.1 innings during which he allowed an unearned run on two hits and no walks while striking out 10 batters. The reigning AL Cy Young Award winner tossed 70 pitches in the outing, so he'd likely have his workload managed to some extent if his next trip to the mound is with the big club. If it's determined that Cole needs another rehab start, it would be for ramp-up reasons rather than due to effectiveness -- he's dominated minor leaguers in his three appearances, posting a 19:0 K:BB while allowing just one earned run over 12.1 frames. Should Cole next move back into the Yankees' rotation, his season debut could come during the team's three-game set versus Baltimore next week.
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Yankees' Gerrit Cole: Next rehab start set
Rotowire
Cole (elbow) will make a third rehab a start Friday with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Max Goodman of The Newark Star-Ledger reports.
The right-hander threw 57 pitches over 4.2 innings during his second rehab outing Sunday, and he'll move up to the Triple-A level as he continues building up his workload. Manager Aaron Boone said Wednesday, "we'll see" when asked if it will be Cole's final rehab start, so it's possible he's cleared to make his season debut for the Yankees next week.
Cole (elbow) said after Sunday's rehab outing with Double-A Somerset that he'll require at least one additional rehab start, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports. The right-hander allowed one run on two hits with four strikeouts and no walks over 4.2 innings.
Cole threw 44 of 57 pitches for strikes in his second rehab appearance Sunday as he continues building up his workload while coming back from nerve irritation in his elbow. The 33-year-old is trending toward a season debut in late June at the latest, though an exact return date won't come into focus until it's determined how many rehab outings are necessary.
Cole (elbow) will make a rehab start with Double-A Somerset on Sunday, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.
Cole made his first rehab appearance Tuesday with Somerset, firing 3.1 scoreless innings with five strikeouts. He threw 45 pitches and touched 97 miles per hour, which is in line with his normal velocity. Cole should see his pitch count increase Sunday, and he'll likely need at least one more rehab outing before coming off the 60-day IL.
