Yankees’ Star Gerrit Cole’s Rehab Progress
Yankees ace Gerrit Cole recently demonstrated marked progress in his rehabilitation. Saturday saw him take the mound for the first time since his injury during spring training. The baseball star had to shut down due to inflammation in his elbow. His pitching session at the Yankee Stadium showed promising signs of his recovery. He delivered 15 fastballs, averaging around 89 mph. Thirteen out of those were strikes, an achievement that brought joy and satisfaction to the American League Cy Young Award winner.
A Significant Step Towards Recovery
Cole took to the field around 10:30 a.m., beginning with a 10-minute catch on flat ground before proceeding to the bullpen. This return to the mound comes nearly a month after the 33-year-old right-hander resumed playing catch, marking an essential stride in his recovery. However, Cole is cautious of predicting the next steps, emphasizing that his next 48 hours will decide when he’ll return to the mound.
Getting Game-Ready For Yankees’ Return
Regarding his game-preparedness, he rates himself between one and five on a ten-point scale, acknowledging that there’s still ground to cover. Activation from the 60-day injured list could come as early as May 27. However, any specific timeline remains uncharted by Yankees management. The focus for Cole right now is to recover fully and return fit and healthy. “Right now, it’s about Gerrit doing what he needs to do to get right and get back and get healthy,” said manager Aaron Boone.
Reflecting on Previous Performance
In light of his one spring training start on March 1, Cole tossed 39 pitches and delivered 47 more in a March 7 simulated game. However, difficulty in bouncing back from these sessions due to inflammation and oedema in his right elbow led to medical intervention. Meeting with an orthopedic surgeon in Los Angeles confirmed these health issues. Recovery efforts began on April 8 with Cole starting to play catch again.
A Special Coincidence in The Making
As destiny would have it, Cole’s return to the bullpen coincided with the Yankee Stadium handing out bobbleheads in his likeness to fans. Surprisingly, the bobbleheads were part of the “Star Wars” day event, with each depicting Cole in a Jedi robe. The Yankees’ pitcher shared his excitement about the synchronicity and laid bare his longing to return to the game.
Cole’s Historic Contract and Previous Standings
Entering the fifth season of his nine-year, $324 million contract with the Yankees, Cole holds the record for the highest-paid pitcher in MLB history. Despite injury-induced interruptions, the 33-year-old has amassed an impressive record. Last season saw him clinch a 15-4 win-loss record, a 2.63 ERA, a 0.98 WHIP and 222 strikeouts in 209 innings under his belt, capping off the season with his career’s first Cy Young Award.
Impressive Team Record Despite Cole’s Absence
Despite the absence of their ace, the Yankees’ performance has been commendable this season. Prior to Saturday’s game against the Detroit Tigers, the Yankees boasted of a 21-13 record. They also featured a highly-rated rotation with each member logging an ERA of 3.86 or better. With Cole’s anticipated return, the Yankees might just be preparing for a more potent rotation.
The Wait Continues
Regarding his anticipated return, Cole expressed no nervousness about his first mound session. “I was ready to go,” Cole insisted, signalling his readiness for baseball action. As the wait continues, Yankees and baseball fans will be holding their breath, looking forward to the full return of Gerrit Cole.