New York Yankees are patiently awaiting the return of reigning AL CY Young pitcher Gerrit Cole this 2024 MLB season after the ace got sidelined with elbow nerve inflammation injury during spring. He was shut down for four weeks which was enough for him to recover but not remotely close to return on the mound.
Gerrit Cole ramped up his throwing activities last month and recently commenced bullpen sessions earlier this month. However, as far as rehab assignment and potential return are concerned, the New York Yankees are essentially seeking a cautious approach to avoid unnecessary risks of aggravation.
Gerrit Cole To Face Live Hitters Soon
Reigning AL CY Young pitcher Gerrit Cole’s absence has been keenly felt by the New York Yankees, as the star pitcher is widely regarded as one of the best in the game. Since injuring his elbow, Cole has worked slowly towards his recovery to avert any potential risks that could lead to setbacks in his recovery journey. Notably, Cole will be eligible for reinstatement on May 27. However, by the early looks of it, it seems Cole will end up jumping this timeline. In a recent conversation with NJ Media, Yanks pitching coach Matt Blake confirmed that the team has a tentative plan in mind with regard to Cole’s return. As of this writing, the ace is chomping up and gearing up for a live bullpen session.
The next steps would be to face hitters before eventually hitting rehab games, which could still be a few weeks away, said Matt Blake. The New York Yankees pitching coach insisted that the team does not want to repeat past mistakes and rush Gerrit Cole’s recovery. Blake admitted that in 2023, they tried to rush a few pitchers, which backfired, and they cannot afford to do the same with their ace, Gerrit Cole. Moreover, at a time when the rest of the rotation has been steady and holding up well, the Yanks do not feel the need to rush Cole into the rotation just yet. “We’re making sure he’s tracking in the right direction. But he’s getting closer,” said Blake. In the meantime, Gerrit Cole continues to stick with the team and mentor his peers and young guys like Luis Gil.
Yankees Reliever Eyes May 23 Return From Shoulder Injury
Tommy Kahnle, New York Yankees key relief pitcher, came out feeling healthy after his first rehab game on Wednesday with Single-A Tampa. He will now move on to Double-A Somerset Patriots for a second rehab round which will consists of three more games. And if all things go well, Kahnle should be fit to return the end of Yanks homestand till May 23.
“I would say after one more [outing, the stuff] is probably there. But the rest is just getting back into a groove,” said Kahnle after his rehab game. Tommy Kahnle is yet to debut in the 2024 MLB season after his shoulder injury resurfaced in spring and a setback further delayed his rehab program. However, it seems, Kahnle is finally ready to enter the majors this month.
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