Yankees' Cole faces hitters for 1st time since spring training
NEW YORK (AP) — Gerrit Cole walked onto the Yankee Stadium mound in full pinstriped uniform as New York teammates filled the dugout to watch their ace throw 20 pitches of batting practice.
“I feel pretty good, and the stuff looked pretty good,” he said. “I had some fun. It’s all positives.”
Cole faced batters for the first time since spring training, throwing to Oswaldo Cabrera and Jamai Jones 3 1/2 hours before Tuesday night’s game against Seattle. Asked why he pitched in full uniform, the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner said simply: “Because I miss it.”
Manager Aaron Boone took notice of Cole’s attire.
“It places a seriousness on it. What it means to put on this uni,” Boone said.
Cole threw 11 fastballs, three changeups and two each of curveballs, sliders and changeups.
“It looked like it was coming out real easy. I thought he was sharp,” Boone said. “That’s a big step.”
Cole made one spring training start, on March 1, and the Yankees announced 10 days later the 33-year-old right-hander’s elbow was ailing. He was diagnosed with nerve inflammation and edema, and told to rest.
He didn’t throw off a mound again until May 5, the first of five bullpen sessions leading up to his initial BP.
“Less pain. It just feels better,” he said of the difference from two months earlier. “It’s mainly just been the fact that it’s been able to feel refreshed by the next time I get back off the mound.”
Cole said he anticipates one or two more BP sessions before starting a minor league rehabilitation assignment. He likely would have four or five minor league starts before rejoining the Yankees, a timeline that makes a late June return possible.
“I wouldn’t rule it out,” Cole said.
He said pitching coach Matt Blake cautioned him not to ramp up velocity too much. Cole averaged 96.7 mph last season.
“I hit 96 (mph) a couple times and Matt yelled at me, so then I had to throw at like 90 a few times to even it back out.” Cole said. “The objective is make sure we’re building at appropriate increments.”
He appreciated teammates watching his throwing session.
“They got here early. They adjusted their routine,” Cole said. “Obviously, it means a lot.”