Gerrit Cole's Season Debut: Sharpening Skills Amid Rust
NEW YORK -- New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole made his long-awaited season debut in a divisional clash against the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday.
His performance was as anticipated: sharp, with a hint of rust, and abbreviated.
Earlier in the season, the reigning Cy Young Award winner had been diagnosed with nerve irritation and edema in his right elbow. Because of this, Cole was meticulously monitored in his first appearance, limited to four-plus innings. Despite limited action, he allowed two runs on three hits at Yankee Stadium. During his time away from the mound, the 34-year-old right-hander showcased his prowess by compiling five strikeouts, issuing only one walk, and throwing a total of 62 pitches. His fastball touched 97 mph, inducing six swing-and-misses.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone refrained from disclosing any specifics regarding Cole's pitch limit before the game, aiming to maintain a competitive edge against the Orioles. It was evident, however, that Cole would not have the same extensive pitch count he typically enjoys. He had been permitted to throw only 68 pitches over 4⅓ innings in his third and final rehab start on Friday.
A Rocky Start
The Orioles managed to inflict 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, which was ruled as a double. Two batters later, Ryan O'Hearn slashed a slider for a two-out, RBI ground-rule double on an 0-2 count. Cole quickly regrouped, demonstrating 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. Henderson then stole second base on the next pitch but was 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, showcasing two strikeouts on 16 pitches. Taking the mound for the fifth inning, he eventually surrendered a first-pitch single to Cedric Mullins. Subsequently, Cole was pulled 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 performance, though not flawless, demonstrated his capability to return to form.
Looking Ahead
As the Yankees continue their season, Cole's return adds a significant boost to the team. His performance on Wednesday showcased glimpses of his elite form. The focus remains on gradually building his pitch count and ensuring a cautious progression in his outings. The Yankees' decision to take a conservative approach with Cole 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.
"We'll build him conservatively here to get him built up," Boone said. "And, frankly, with all our guys, we'll kind of see where they're at and what we feel like makes the most sense."
"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."
In summary, Gerrit Cole's season debut exemplifies both the challenge and triumph of returning to top form after an injury. While his performance had moments of imperfection, the underlying talent and competitive edge were evident. The Yankees are taking every precaution to ensure that Cole's comeback is both robust and sustainable, knowing that his peak performance will be invaluable in the months ahead.