This season, the New York Yankees’ starting rotation has been able to stand tall in the absence of ace pitcher Gerrit Cole. The reigning AL CY Young pitcher has been sidelined since spring training due to a nerve elbow inflammation injury and isn’t eligible to return until the final week of May.
However, with a 17-9 record, the New York Yankees fell to the second place in AL-East table, below Baltimore Orioles. Notably, the Orioles will be the Yanks toughest division competitor this year. And with a series on the horizon, the Bronx Bombers’ inexperienced starting rotation will surely be put to the test.
Will Yankees Starters Prevail Over Orioles?
The New York Yankees have long been characterized by their formidable rotation of starting pitchers. However, this year, the tables have turned as the team is without their ace starting pitcher Gerrit Cole. In the reigning AL CY Young pitcher’s absence, Carlos Rodon, Nestor Cortes, Marcus Stroman, Clarke Schmidt, and Luis Gil have put forth an impressive performance. However, with the Baltimore Orioles the next competition in line, it would be the first time this season that the rotation will face some real test. To add to the pitchers’ misery, the offense has witnessed a downward trend in the past week. Aaron Judge hasn’t been able to hit through the gates, whereas Giancarlo Stanton and Anthony Rizzo have been largely inconsistent. Amid this, the pitchers are shouldering the responsibility to produce a win.
That being said, with the Baltimore Orioles clinching the AL-East division title in 2023, the New York Yankees cannot afford to overlook them. Hence, the rotation must execute its game plan effectively against the Orioles’ lineup, which features a mix of young talent and veteran hitters. Consistency has been a recurring issue for the Yanks’ rotation this season. Establishing a rhythm and finding a groove will be essential for sustained success. Having said that, despite the challenges, the upcoming series against the Orioles presents an opportunity for the Brons Bombers’ rotation to showcase its potential and build momentum. In conclusion, the Yankees’ rotation faces a steep test ahead of the Orioles series. With injuries impacting their depth and inconsistency plaguing their performances, the rotation must rise to the occasion and deliver quality outings to keep the team in contention.
Will Gerrit Cole Return This Season?
With over a month to his absence, Gerrit Cole is still ramping up on the sidelines as he recovers from elbow nerve inflammation injury. He sustained the injury during spring and got ruled out for 10-12 weeks. However, in a recent sign of improvement, Cole began throwing at 120 feet and the next step is to throw from the mound.
Gerrit Cole will began throwing from mound by next week and is still unsure of his return timeline. Cole believes he would only know where it stands after he hits the mound in the coming days. Overall, if an ideal world without any setbacks, the Yankees ace should be able to return by the first week of June.
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