Gerrit Cole could be ready to rejoin New York rotation, though Yankees not ready to commit

FILE - New York Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole throws a bullpen session before the team's baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays, May 11, 2024, in St. Petersburg, Fla. Cole struck out 10 in 4 1/3 innings for Triple-A Scranton-Wilkes Barre on Friday night, June 14, the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner’s third rehab start and the latest step toward returning to the Yankees’ rotation.(AP Photo/Chris O'Meara, File)

BOSTON (AP) — Gerrit Cole could be ready to rejoin the New York Yankees rotation after three minor league rehab starts, though the team isn't yet ready to commit to his return.

“I’m obviously feeling good today,” the AL Cy Young Award winner said Saturday at Fenway Park, a day after throwing 70 pitches for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre at Rochester. “Last night was a good night.”

The 33-year-old right-hander struck out 10 over 4 1/3 innings, giving up two hits and allowing an unearned run.

“We’ll just look at these next couple of days and decide if it’s another rehab start or just bringing him (here),” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. ”Obviously, he’s going to have a huge say in that, especially if it’s another rehab start."

Cole struck out 19 and walked none over 12 1/3 innings in three minor league rehab outings. He threw 45 pitches in his first start and 57 in his second, both at Double-A Somerset.

“It feels like it’s coming together,” Cole said. “Regardless, I don’t anticipate coming back with a 100 pitches, so there’s a ways to go. The closer and closer you get, the more excited you get."

Asked if he thought he was ready to get big league hitters out, Cole paused and said: “I certainly feel like I had a pretty good shot last night, for sure. You just never really know until you know.”

Cole made his only spring training start on March 1, then was diagnosed with nerve inflammation and edema and told to rest. He began throwing bullpens on May 4 and made his first rehab start on June 4.

“I want to look at the computer, too, it usually takes a day to process all the numbers and stuff, so I think probably a conversation will happen when we get that information,” Cole said when asked if he thought his next start would be with the Yankees. “My eyes said it was pretty good. I’m assuming it was really good.”

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