Gerrit Cole is progressing well in his rehabilitation from a nerve inflammation and edema diagnosis, with the AL Young Award winner likely to make at least two more minor league starts before potentially returning to the New York Yankees' rotation in mid-to-late June. Following his first rehab outing, a 45-pitch effort over 3 1/3 scoreless innings for Double-A Somerset, Cole reported feeling fine the next day.
Manager Aaron Boone indicated that Cole will need a couple more rehab starts, with the exact number yet to be determined. If Cole continues on his normal four days' rest schedule, he could potentially start on Sunday and again on May 14, setting up a possible return during the home series against Baltimore from May 18-20.
Cole, a 33-year-old right-hander, had not pitched in a game since his lone spring training appearance on March 1 due to his medical condition. The typical progression for his rehab involves increasing his pitch count by 10-15 per outing, with a third minor league start likely resulting in a higher initial pitch limit for his return to the big leagues.
Cole emphasized the importance of evaluating his performance and using modern analytic tools to assess the impact of his pitches, regardless of the competition level. He highlighted the advancements in the game that allow for a more comprehensive analysis of his outings, compared to the past.
Boone, who observed the first two innings of Cole's rehab start, praised the pitcher's sharpness, good command, and quality stuff on display. The Yankees are closely monitoring Cole's progress as he works towards a successful return to the team's rotation.
Overall, Cole's rehab process is proceeding positively, with the pitcher and the team taking a cautious approach to ensure his readiness for a strong comeback to the Yankees' rotation in the coming weeks.
