Yankees ace Gerrit Cole pitches 4 strong innings vs. Orioles in 2024 debut after elbow injury

New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole made a strong return from an elbow injury in an abbreviated game Wednesday in his 2024 debut.

The Baltimore Orioles took a 3-1 lead after he was struck out in the fifth inning. But the Yankees — who built the AL’s best record without the services of their best pitcher — are only stronger now with Cole’s return and can feel good about their first effort of the season against big league hitters.

Cole pitched four innings, allowing three hits, one walk and two earned runs, while recording five strikeouts. His four-seam fastball tops out at 97 mph, a touch above his 2023 average fastball velocity of 96.7 mph.

He threw 61 pitches in four innings of one-run baseball and then returned for the fifth. He allowed a first-pitch single to Cedric Mullins, and his day ended after 62 pitches.

Manager Aaron Boone played it safe with his ace and replaced him with reliever Ron Marinaccio. Marinaccio allowed a home run to Ramón Urías in the next at-bat, and Cole was tagged with his second earned run of the night as the Orioles took a 3-1 lead. Cole didn’t like being pulled or the Orioles getting ahead, but there was a lot to like about his first start in 2024.

Cole crashes after double lead to run

Cole started the night by allowing a leadoff double to Gunnar Henderson. Second baseman Gleyber Torres had a chance to make a play, but the ball ricocheted off his glove into right field, allowing Henderson to reach second base. Henderson came around to score on a Ryan O’Hearn double with two outs.

Cole finished his first inning with 10 hits on 13 pitches, allowing two hits and one earned run. So he settled down.

Cole made quick work of the sideline in a 1-2-3 second inning that required seven pitches. He led off the third with his first strikeout of the season. Jorge Mateo swung and missed a cutter off the plate

He then walked Henderson on eight pitches for his first and only free pass of the night. Two more strikeouts concluded the third. He got Adley Rutschman and Ryan Mountcastle to bat for a three-hit inning to complete his second turn atop the Orioles order.

Cole then cruised to fourth with two outs in a 1-2-3 inning. After inducing an early lineout from O’Hearn, he retired Anthony Santander and Colton Cowser swinging with 96 mph fastballs at the top of the zone.

He then briefly returned to the fifth when he was pulled after his first pitch.

Cole began this season on the injured list after experiencing nerve inflammation and swelling in his throwing elbow. He avoided Tommy John surgery and has been preparing to begin rehab in recent weeks. The Yankees called him up for Wednesday’s game after he recorded 19 strikeouts and no walks in 12 1/3 innings in three minor league rehab starts.

Barring any setbacks, he is now back in the rotation and should gradually see his pitch count increase as the Yankees set their sights on the AL crown and beyond.