New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole finally made his first rehab start this week, on Tuesday, as he tries to complete a comeback from right elbow inflammation suffered in spring training.
He started for Double-A Somerset that day and didn’t allow any runs or walks in 3.1 innings, striking out five and conceding just two hits.
He touched 97 mph on the radar gun and everybody was pleased by his progress.
Elbow injuries often require baby steps, though, so Cole isn’t expected to return to the Bronx just yet.
In fact, he will be making, according to Yankees insider Bryan Hoch, another start for the Somerset Patriots on Sunday.
Cole, who threw 45 pitches on Tuesday, is expected to move closer to the 60-70 range this time.
The idea is to start building arm strength slowly, but surely, and that will require at least a few additional minor league starts.
At the very least, the Yanks will probably want him starting one game in Scranton (Triple-A) before rejoining the MLB staff.
The Yankees don’t want to rush things: they have one of the deepest and most capable pitching staffs in baseball and can afford to give Cole the time he needs.
Expect Cole to be ready to return around the All-Star break, but June is still not out of the question.
He is the reigning AL Cy Young award winner and posted a brilliant 2.63 ERA last year.
If he is healthy, expect similar production over the last three or four months of the regular season.
