Yankees to the Gerrit Cole pitched his first rehab start for Double-A Somerset on Tuesday and was effective through three-plus innings.
Cole allowed a leadoff single to start his night, but then retired the next three batters — two via strikeout — to get out of the first inning. Cole would pitch a 1-2-3 inning in the second and go through both innings on just 25 pitches (19 strikes).
Before Tuesday’s game, Somerset manager Raul Dominguez said Cole was expected to throw 40 pitches, which he did after a clean third inning. However, the reigning AL Cy Young winner returned to the mound in the fourth to face yet another batter.
Cole struck out the first batter he faced in the fourth inning to get his fifth strikeout of the night. The Yankees ace threw 45 pitches (34 strikes) in 3.1 innings, giving up just two hits.
“I thought it was a lot of fun overall,” Cole said after his start. “It was great to get back out there and get into the flow of things.”
Cole said he was happy he was able to move the ball on both sides of the plate, throw pitches for strikes and even cover first base on some grounders. The Yankees ace said he was told it was hovering between 94-97 mph on Tuesday.
Cole pitched in one spring training game before being placed on the 60-day IL on Opening Day. When asked if he felt he was close to returning to the team, Cole paused before answering.
“Definitely close,” he said. “I’m not sure how many more I’ll need, but definitely closer, not farther. It should be right around the corner.”
