Gerrit Cole
Gerrit Cole celebrates after finishing pitching 6 scoreless innings. via @Yankees Twitter

Gerrit Cole, who win CY Young award last season for being the best pitcher in American League, saw a steep decline in the 2024 MLB season owing to a serious injury. Cole missed 2.5 months of action after enduring elbow inflammation injury in spring training.

However, even after a delayed return to the majors, Gerrit Cole wasn’t there yet. He struggled consistently before getting scratched off his last start citing body fatigue. That being said, Gerrit Cole finally returned to the mound this past weekend and had a steady yet strong outing in the New York Yankees’ 4-3 win over the Toronto Blue Jays.

   

Gerrit Cole Pitches 5.2 Inning Start Despite Initial Discomfort

Yankees, Gerrit Cole
X.com

New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole finally returned to the mound after 10 long days as he pitched 5.2 innings long start against the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday. Cole was scratched off his previous scheduled start against the Phillies, citing body fatigue. However, the ace assured that his fatigue wasn’t related to the elbow injury and that he would consider a return on the weekend. He lived up to his promise and allowed 2 runs on six hits in the Yank’s 4-3 extra-inning victory over the Blue Jays on Sunday. That being said, Gerrit Cole appeared to be feeling some discomfort initially as he repeatedly sought assistance on his shoulder.

Regardless, Gerrit Cole was able to complete his start as usual. “It was a good position to make pitches all day, and then I kind of started to gain some momentum and steam as the game started rolling,” Cole said in the post-game interview. Yankees manager Aaron Boone also approved Cole’s stuff and asserted that his comeback start was a major sign of encouragement for the club. That being said, it remains to be seen if Gerrit Cole recovers in time for his next start against the Angels. Cole has already missed a lot of time due to injuries and inconsistencies. The New York Yankees need him now more than ever as the season enters its final phase. The Bronx Bombers are tied to the Baltimore Orioles for first place in AL-East. With 50-odd games still left on the cards, the Yanks would have to play a lot better to win the division.

After A Strong Message, Gleyber Torres Returns to Yankees Lineup

Yankees, Gleyber Torres
Jason Szenes / New York Post

Gleyber Torres landed on the wrong side of skipper Aaron Boone as he was benched mid-game as a punishment for showing lack of hustle in Yankees 8-5 loss to Blue Jays. Boone revealed that he wanted to send a message to the rest of the roster to buckle up, as nobody’s place is guaranteed in the starting lineup.

That being said, the dust settled as Gleyber Torres was included back in the New York Yankees lineup for the rest of the series against Blue Jays. He went 1-for-4 with a walk in 4-3 walk off win on Sunday. “He is an enormous part of this team, a key cog in what we’re doing,” Boone said in a press conference.

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