Gerrit Cole has been the most dependable pitcher for the New York Yankees for a long time. But last year was his career-best season despite the team performing horribly as a whole. The NY side could not make the postseason for the first time since 2016. They finished fourth in the American League East division. Moreover, the Bronx Bombers had an awful 82-80 record last season. Clearly, it was their worst season in the last 30 years. On top of that, the 27-time World Series champions had the second-worst batting average. They were only better than the nine-time champions, the Oakland Athletics. Moreover, the Yankees had too many names on the Injured List to save their 2023 campaign.
But even during this tough time for the team, there were a couple of players who stood out for the Bronx Bombers. Anthony Volpe made his debut for the NY side in 2023. He impressed the Yankees Faithful with a 20-20 season in his debut. Volpe also became the first Yankee to win Gold Glove in his rookie season. Other than the rookie, it was the ace pitcher Cole who brought some joy to the fans. After all, he won his first AL Cy Young Award. However, the problem is that his team is missing him at the start of the 2024 season due to an injury. When is Cole returning to the lineup?
Yankees Manager Hopeful About Gerrit Cole Starting His Throwing Program Soon
After a career-best season, the fans hoped to see Gerrit Cole dominating the league in 2024. After all, he is their most dependable pitcher. But during the spring training, the Yankees ace pitcher hurt his right elbow. Later, the doctors said owing to inflammation, Cole wouldn’t return to the rotation for one to two months. He might return in early June. Anyway, so far, without Cole, the Bronx Bombers have managed well, as they won five on the trot, starting from Opening Day. Lately, Aaron Boone gave a hint that Cole might return soon to start his ramp-up. Prior to the game between the Yankees and the Arizona Diamondbacks, the skipper mentioned Gerrit Cole is close to throwing again.
He said the 2023 AL Cy Young winner is moving in that direction. So far, things seem to go well with Cole’s recovery. Moreover, the 33-year-old Yankees ace pitcher told reporters that he is feeling good at present. But he does not yet have a date for when he will start throwing again. Moreover, the YES Network recorded Cole saying, things are progressing exactly the way they should. Previously, Gerrit Cole also mentioned that he got too hot a little too early in the spring training.
The NY Side’s Ace Pitcher Praised Anthony Volpe
During the clash against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Anthony Volpe was quite impressive. This year, the Yankees started really well. Moreover, they beat the Houston Astros 4-0 at the very beginning of the 2024 season. Later, they beat the Diamondbacks in the first game of that series. Anthony Volpe and pitcher Luis Gil were the most impressive. However, the Diamondbacks came back strong to win the second game and end the Bronx Bombers’ unbeaten run this season.
"This kid's on fire." -Gerrit Cole as Anthony Volpe raises his batting average to .600 pic.twitter.com/yeX6O0SUNG
— Talkin' Yanks (@TalkinYanks) April 3, 2024
Anyhow, Gerrit Cole marvels at the consistent hitting skills of Anthony Volpe. During Tuesday’s game, Cole joined a “Mic’d up” for an interaction. While Cole was on the air, Volpe hit Zac Gallen’s 1-1 fastball for a single to the right field. It caught the Yankees ace pitcher’s attention, and he praised Volpe, saying, “The kid is on fire.”
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