While the Yankees prepare to face the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday night, the reaction to Gerrit Cole’s first rehab outing with Double-A Somerset on Tuesday continues to dominate the airways in New York.
Manager Aaron Boone was bombarded with questions regarding his ace, including how Cole performed, what Boone observed, and when the Yankees might anticipate the right-hander back on the roster.
The skipper, who hasn’t spoken with Cole since his first rehab start, said Tuesday’s outing was “another good step along the way,” but he doesn’t have a schedule for Cole’s return, adding that “the next few days will be important.”
“That’s something we’ll continue to work through,” Boone said of Cole’s future steps in rehab. “Obviously, Gerrit will put a lot of effort into it, and we’ll just take it day by day, but at least a few more [starts].” We’ll see whether it’s, I’m not sure how many – is it two or three – but it will be what’s best, and we’ll make that decision as we go.”
When asked if Cole would pitch on Sunday, his next turn in the rotation, Boone replied, “I’d rather see him [first].”
Regardless of when the 33-year-old pitches next, Tuesday’s performance provided Boone and the organization faith that he is on the right track and will return to the Bronx later this season.
Cole pitched 3.1 innings, allowing two hits, no earned runs, no walks, and five strikeouts on 45 pitches (34 strikes).
“I got to watch most of his first two innings before we went out for the game and I thought he looked really sharp,” Boone stated. “Command looked good, stuff looked good, life to the heater.”
Boone also noted Cole did an excellent job of controlling and taming the rush of adrenaline that comes with pitching in a professional game for the first time in a long time, which the right-hander excels at when healthy and is “why [he is] who he is.”
When Cole does return to the Yankees’ starting rotation, he will join an AL-best pitching staff with a 2.73 ERA this season. Including the reigning American League Cy Young Award winner in the mix almost feels unjust.
Of course, a choice must be taken as to where Cole may return to the rotation and take his place at the top.
“It won’t be hard to slot him in so I’m not worried about it,” Boone stated. “We’ll get there when we get there.”
Because of how well New York has thrown this season – and that includes the bullpen, which has a 2.88 ERA entering Wednesday – the Yankees can be extra careful about bringing Cole back into the mix if they want to.
However, Cole’s timing will not be determined by the Yankees’ standings or the circumstances surrounding them.
“This is about Gerrit and ensuring that he is in the greatest possible position to be the best version of himself upon his return. “Obviously, we know the impact he can have, so I don’t think where we are matters as much,” Boone stated.
