(New York) Pitcher Gerrit Cole is expected to make his first start of the season for the New York Yankees on Wednesday night against the Baltimore Orioles.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone shared the news Monday during a podcast.
A unanimous 2023 American League Cy Young Award winner, the 33-year-old right-hander completed three minor league rehabilitation outings after recovering from nerve inflammation and swelling in his right elbow .
He was initially limited to 45 pitches in his first start, June 4, and 57 in his next start, June 9, each time with Somerset, at the AA level.
He then reached the plateau of 70 throws last Friday with the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre club, at the AAA level. In that outing, he had 10 strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings, while giving up two hits and one unearned run.
In 12 1/3 innings during those minor league outings, Cole amassed 19 strikeouts without allowing a single walk.
During training camp, Cole only had one outing, on March 1, before being told to rest. He started throwing again in the bullpen on May 4.
In 2023, Cole posted a 15-4 record and racked up 222 strikeouts. He led the American League in earned run average (2.63) and innings pitched (209).
