Gerrit Cole's Season Debut: A Balance of Prowess and Caution
NEW YORK -- New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole made his long-awaited season debut on Wednesday in a crucial divisional clash against the Baltimore Orioles. His performance, while expectedly sharp, revealed hints of rust and was strategically kept short.
Earlier in the season, Cole had been sidelined due to nerve irritation and edema in his right elbow. The reigning Cy Young Award winner's return was highly anticipated, and the Yankees took a cautious approach in his first appearance, limiting him to four-plus innings.
Despite being away from the mound for an extended period, the 34-year-old right-hander showcased his elite skills. He allowed two runs on three hits, compiled five strikeouts, issued only one walk, and threw a total of 62 pitches. His fastball touched 97 mph, inducing six swing-and-misses.
Strategic Limitations
Yankees manager Aaron Boone remained tight-lipped about Cole's pitch limit prior to the game, aiming to maintain a competitive edge against the Orioles. Nevertheless, it was clear that Cole would not be stretched to his usual pitch count.
In his third and final rehab start on the previous Friday, Cole had only been allowed to throw 68 pitches over 4⅓ innings, highlighting the team's cautious approach.
A Rocky Start
The Orioles inflicted most of their damage against Cole in the first inning. Gunnar Henderson led off with a one-hopper that bounced off second baseman Gleyber Torres' glove for a double. Ryan O'Hearn then slashed a slider for a two-out, RBI ground-rule double on an 0-2 count.
Cole quickly regrouped and demonstrated his resilience. In the second inning, he needed just seven pitches to retire the side. He issued a one-out walk to Henderson in the third, who then stole second base but was ultimately stranded as Cole recorded his first three strikeouts of the season in that inning.
Finding His Rhythm
In the fourth inning, Cole retired the side in order, displaying his dominance with two strikeouts on just 16 pitches. Taking the mound for the fifth inning, Cole eventually surrendered a first-pitch single to Cedric Mullins, prompting Boone to pull him for reliever Ron Marinaccio. Marinaccio then yielded a two-run home run to Ramon Urias, accounting for the second run charged to Cole.
Cole's outing, though not without flaws, highlighted his capacity to regain his form. His control, velocity, and ability to induce swings-and-misses were encouraging signs for the Yankees.
Looking Ahead
As the Yankees continue their season, Cole's return adds a significant boost to the team. His performance on Wednesday provided glimpses of his elite form. The focus now remains on gradually increasing his pitch count and ensuring a cautious progression in his outings.
Boone emphasized the importance of this conservative approach, stating, "We'll build him conservatively here to get him built up. And, frankly, with all our guys, we'll kind of see where they're at and what we feel like makes the most sense." He added, "I don't necessarily think it'll be extra moving forward. It'll just be about conservatively getting [the pitches] up. But, then again, listening to each start, too, to see where he is."
The Yankees' decision to carefully manage Cole's workload underscores their commitment to preserving his long-term health and effectiveness. Cole's resilience and ability to adapt will be crucial as the Yankees navigate through the season. His performance against the Orioles serves as a promising indication of what lies ahead for both Cole and the team.