Gerrit Cole had a successful rehab start at Double-A Somerset on Tuesday night, showcasing his old form on the mound. The New York Yankees ace pitched 3 1/3 innings, giving up no runs, no walks, two hits, and striking out five against the Hartford Yard Goats. He threw 45 pitches, staying within the 40-50 pitch count planned by Somerset manager Raul Dominguez. Cole’s fastball ranged between 94-96 mph, with 34 of his 45 pitches being strikes.
After the game, Cole expressed how great it felt to be back in action, feeding off the adrenaline of competition. The reigning AL Cy Young Award winner has been sidelined since spring training due to right elbow inflammation. Neither Cole nor Yankees manager Aaron Boone disclosed how many rehab starts Cole would need before returning to the team but suggested that his return was imminent.
Despite Cole’s absence, the Yankees have continued to perform well this season, boasting the best record in MLB at 43-19. Pitchers like Luis Gil, Marcus Stroman, and Carlos Rodon have stepped up in Cole’s absence. Gil, in particular, has been a standout with impressive stats. If Cole does get a second start in Somerset, he could potentially pitch on Sunday to close out the team’s home stand against the Yard Goats.