Gerrit Cole made his return to the mound Tuesday night during a rehab start at Double-A Somerset and looked like his old self.
Cole pitched 3 1/3 innings and allowed zero runs, no walks, two hits and struck out five against the Hartford Yard Goats.
The New York Yankees ace threw 45 pitches, which was right in line with the 40-50 Somerset manager Raul Dominguez planned to keep Cole in the game. Of those 45 pitches, 34 went for strikes and his fastball was in the 90-90 mph range, according to Mike Ashmore of My Central Jersey.
“It felt really great to get back out there, get back into the flow of things and get some adrenaline,” Cole said afterward.
Cole, the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner, has not pitched for the Yankees this season after being sidelined during spring training due to right elbow inflammation.
Neither Cole nor manager Aaron Boone would say how many minor league rehab starts it would take before Cole gets the green light to return to the Bronx.
“Definitely closer instead of further away. It should be right around the corner,” said Cole, who added that he will let his body determine when he is 100% ready to return.
The absence of their ace hasn’t slowed the Yankees down this season. After Tuesday night’s 5-1 win over the Minnesota Twins, they have a 43-19 record, the best in all of MLB. Luis Gil, Marcus Stroman and Carlos Rodon led the rotation. Gil was a pleasant surprise with an 8-1 record, 1.82 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 85 strikeouts.
Should Cole get a second start at Somerset, he would be in line to get the ball on Sunday as the Patriots complete a six-game home stretch against the Yard Goats.
