Yankees ace Gerrit Cole set to make highly anticipated season debut
After months of waiting, the moment has finally arrived. Gerrit Cole, the reigning American League Cy Young Award winner, will make his season debut for the New York Yankees on Wednesday against the Baltimore Orioles. This is a highly anticipated event for both the team and fans, as the Yankees have been without their ace for the first few months of the season.
The 33-year-old right-hander was on the injured list at the start of the season due to nerve irritation and edema in his right elbow. However, after three successful rehab starts with Double-A and Triple-A, Cole is back and ready to take the mound at Yankee Stadium.
In his last outing on Friday, Cole was dominant, allowing only one unearned run on two hits with 10 strikeouts and no walks over 4⅓ innings. This was just the latest in a series of impressive performances as Cole allowed only two runs (one earned) with 19 strikeouts and zero walks across 12⅓ innings in his rehab starts.
With the Yankees listing their Wednesday starter as “TBA” until Sunday, there was some speculation on who would take the mound. Manager Aaron Boone mentioned that they were considering both Cole and Cody Poteet, but it was clear that Cole was the top choice for this pivotal divisional series against the Orioles.
Cole’s return is a significant boost for the Yankees, who have been performing well despite his absence. The team has had the lowest ERA in the majors, thanks in part to standout performances from his replacement, Luis Gil. The 26-year-old right-hander is 9-1 with an AL-best 2.03 ERA in 14 starts, making him an early favorite for the American League Rookie of the Year.
Cole’s return also means that Cody Poteet will be moved back to the bullpen, where he started the season. Poteet made three starts for the Yankees in place of Clarke Schmidt, who landed on the injured list with a lat strain. While Poteet had some success, it is clear that the Yankees’ rotation is much stronger with Cole in the mix.
Kosport Magazine’s Take:
Gerrit Cole’s season debut for the Yankees is a moment that fans have been eagerly anticipating. After being sidelined for the first few months, Cole’s return is crucial for the team’s success and their World Series aspirations. With the Yankees’ rotation already performing well, the addition of Cole only adds to their strength on the mound. This is a pivotal moment for the Yankees as they look to maintain their top spot in the highly competitive AL East division.
