The New York Yankees missed Gerrit Cole in their starting lineup since the start of the 2024 regular season. It was unfortunate when the ace pitcher hurt his right elbow during spring training. Initially, the starting lineup was looking a bit shaky anyway, and then to lose the ace was a big blow. Moreover, the ace hurler was coming off a career-best season, winning the American League Cy Young Award. Hence, the fans expected him to lead the pack and keep up the momentum. But then he sustained a nerve inflammation in his right elbow.
After doing all the tests, the Yankees put Cole on the 60-day Injured List. Due to his injury in spring training, he could not even play one game in the 2024 regular season until now. After missing 266 days and 12 weeks of the regular season due to nerve inflammation and edema, the Yankees ace pitcher came back to where he belongs. Gerrit Cole had a pretty successful start against the Baltimore Orioles despite his team losing.
Gerrit Cole Is Back Where He Belongs
According to Mark W Sanchez of the New York Post, Gerrit Cole chose the melodic tune of ‘Rufus Du Sol’ with the appropriate line, saying, “There is no place I would rather be.” That’s the new warmup song of the Yankees ace hurler. Last year, the NY side was in the gutter. The only bright side was the form of the ace pitcher. It was quite clear in the fag end of the regular season in 2023 that the team won’t make the playoffs. But Cole continued his good form for the elusive Cy Young Award. However, it turned out to be not as elusive as he previously thought it was. But at the beginning of this year’s Spring Training, Cole mentioned that the pain of the 82-80 season is still quite fresh, and the team is looking for redemption.
Well, the team started really well in the regular season, winning 50 games before any other team, even without Cole. Lately, against the division rivals, the Orioles, the Yankees ace made his season debut. Moreover, it was a good one. On Wednesday, Gerrit Cole pitched more than four innings and got five strikeouts. Also, he gave away a walk and a couple of runs on three hits. Despite his great welcome and start at the Yankee Stadium in 2024, the home team lost a close encounter 7-6 against the O’s. The game even went to the 10th inning.
Yankees Ace Had A Great Start
In the first inning on Wednesday, the superstar right-handed pitcher did not look very strong. Gunnar Henderson smashed Cole hard and the ball glanced off the gloves of Gleyber Torres. Eventually, it went for a double. Then, the Oriole’s star hitter came back to score after Ryan O’Hearn hit a double. Anyway, the 2023 AL Cy Young winner got stronger as the game progressed. In the third and fourth innings, Gerrit Cole got his five of six outs via strikeouts.
Previously, the Yankees ace had three minor-league rehab starts. Clearly, he is still building up and trying to be the Cole every fan expects him to be. On his season debut, Cole made 62 pitches, and then he walked off to a loud cheer. He only managed to pitch once after taking the mound in the fifth inning.
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