Gerrit Cole's Season Debut: Sharpening Skills Amid Rust
NEW YORK -- New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole made his long-awaited season debut in a divisional clash against the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday. It was a performance characterized by brilliance tempered with a touch of rust, fitting for a pitcher coming off a significant layoff.
Earlier in the season, the reigning Cy Young Award winner was diagnosed with nerve irritation and edema in his right elbow. As a result, his return to the mound was meticulously managed, allowing him to pitch only four-plus innings. In his first appearance of the season, Cole conceded two runs on three hits at Yankee Stadium.
Despite his extended absence, the 34-year-old right-hander showcased his exceptional skills, racking up five strikeouts, allowing just one walk, and throwing a total of 62 pitches. His fastball reached 97 mph and induced six swing-and-misses, offering a promising glimpse of his elite form.
Monitoring Cole's Return
Yankees manager Aaron Boone opted not to disclose any specifics about Cole's pitch limit before the game, a tactical decision aimed at maintaining a competitive edge against the Orioles. Nonetheless, it was clear that Cole's pitch count would not be as extensive as usual.
In his third and final rehab start on Friday, Cole had only been permitted to throw 68 pitches over 4⅓ innings, demonstrating the cautious approach the Yankees are taking regarding his health and effectiveness.
A Rocky Start
Cole faced some challenges early on. In the first inning, Gunnar Henderson led off with a one-hopper that bounced off second baseman Gleyber Torres' glove, resulting in a double. Two batters later, Ryan O'Hearn took a slider for a two-out, RBI ground-rule double on an 0-2 count.
Despite the early setbacks, Cole quickly regained his composure. The second inning required just seven pitches for him to retire the side. In the third inning, he issued a one-out walk to Henderson, who then stole second base. However, Cole struck out the next three batters, marking his first strikeouts of the season.
Finding His Rhythm
By the fourth inning, Cole appeared to find his rhythm. He retired the side in order, notching up two strikeouts on just 16 pitches. Returning for the fifth inning, Cole surrendered a first-pitch single to Cedric Mullins before being replaced by reliever Ron Marinaccio.
Marinaccio subsequently gave up a two-run home run to Ramon Urias, ultimately attributing the second run to Cole. Although his performance was not flawless, it demonstrated Cole's resilience and capability to return to form after an extended hiatus.
Looking Ahead
As the Yankees continue their season, Cole's return provides a significant boost to the team. His performance against the Orioles showcased glimpses of his elite abilities, with the primary focus now on progressively building up his pitch count and ensuring a cautious progression in his outings.
The Yankees' decision to adopt a conservative approach with Cole underscores their commitment to preserving his long-term health and effectiveness. Manager Aaron Boone emphasized the importance of this cautious strategy.
"We'll build him conservatively here to get him built up," Boone said. "And, frankly, with all our guys, we'll kind of see where they're at and what we feel like makes the most sense."
Boone added, "I don't necessarily think it'll be extra moving forward. It'll just be about conservatively getting [the pitches] up. But, then again, listening to each start, too, to see where he is."
Cole's resilience and ability to adapt will be crucial as the Yankees navigate the season. His performance against the Orioles offers a promising indication of what lies ahead for both Cole and the team. As he continues to rebuild his pitch count and regain his form, the Yankees can look forward to having one of the league's premier pitchers back at full strength.