Key Takeaways:
– Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole undergoes successful training session, eyes June return to Major League.
– Cole threw 20 pitches from the Yankee Stadium mound in full uniform, fueling optimism about his imminent return.
– Despite Cole’s absence, the Yankees have maintained an unexpectedly strong rotation.
– Boone’s anticipated choice between maintain a five-man or considering a six-man rotation could shape the team’s near-term dynamics.
On Tuesday, May 21, the New York Yankees ace pitcher, Gerrit Cole signaled an imminent return to Major League action after a successful training session at the Yankee Stadium. Standing on the mound in full uniform, he threw 20 fastballs, offering a strong hint at his improved health following his spring elbow injury.
Chronicles of the Training Session
During the session, Cole faced-off with Yankees hitters Oswaldo Cabrera and Jahmai Jones, throwing an impressive set of 20 pitches. His strong performance during this critical rehabilitation period projects the ace pitcher’s confident stride towards his much-anticipated return to the Major League.
While speaking to the media after his workout, Cole revealed he decided to wear full uniform “because I missed it.” His fastball, quite notably, hit 96 on the radar gun, prompting the team’s pitching coach, Matt Blake, to hold him back. A sign of his evident readiness for a comeback, Cole described his effort as “really sharp”.
Echoing Cole’s sentiment, manager Aaron Boone remarked, “Things are going well, and that was another big step.” However, Boone also preached caution, reminding everyone that Cole is still in the process of rebuilding his arm strength, which would be essential for his successful reintegration into the game after his hiatus.
Unforeseen Resilience of the Yankees
Despite Cole’s temporary sideline, the New York Yankees continue to demonstrate an unexpectedly robust rotation. Pitchers Nestor Cortes and Carlos Rodon, both of whom endured significant injuries the previous season, have made a compelling comeback. Furthermore, Marcus Stroman and Clarke Schmidt have been particularly outstanding, with both pitchers recording impressive statistics in recent games.
Even more surprising was the performance of Luis Gil, who despite having just seven games of big-league experience behind him, has been making significant strides. Gil’s stellar showings have added significant depth to the team’s rotation.
Preparing for Difficult Decisions
As Cole advances on his rehabilitation course without hiccups, he begins to shed light on a looming challenge for team manager, Boone. With the team’s strong performance in Cole’s absence, shuffling the rotation upon his return could risk disrupting a winning formula. Pitchers, being creatures of habit, might find it challenging to adjust to rotation changes imposed at a later stage in the season.
A six-man rotation is a possible solution that could allow the Yankees to integrate Cole seamlessly without disturbing the current successful structure. However, it will necessitate introducing an extra rest day for the team’s pitchers which might not sit well with the seasoned players.
Despite the challenges, Yankees have managed to offer up an impressive performance. Their success, coupled with Cole’s potentially swift return, creates a promising possibility for the team to remain at or near the top of the American League East.