Yankees' Cole tests positive for COVID-19, won't start Tuesday

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone announced ace Gerrit Cole tested positive for COVID-19, according to Brendan Kuty of NJ.com.

Cole will not start for the Yankees on Tuesday against the Baltimore Orioles. Per MLB's health and safety protocols, he will have to isolate for 10 days. He's the only Yankees player known to have tested positive right now, Boone said, according to SNY.

Nestor Cortes Jr. is likely to start in Cole's place, Boone added.

Cole, 30, leads the majors with 176 strikeouts and is pacing the American League in WHIP and strikeouts per nine innings.

This is the second major COVID-19 issue for the Yankees in the last 30 days. Several of their players, including Aaron Judge, landed on the COVID-19 IL after the All-Star break, forcing the postponement of one game.

The Yankees surpassed the 85% vaccination threshold early in the season, allowing the team to relax clubhouse restrictions. However, it's been reported that not all of their players are vaccinated.