Reigning American League Cy Young Award winner Gerrit Cole is scheduled to make his season debut for the New York Yankees on Wednesday against the Baltimore Orioles, manager Aaron Boone announced Monday.
Cole, who began the season sidelined due to nerve irritation and swelling in his pitching elbow, has successfully completed his recovery. He made two rehab starts at Double-A Somerset and one at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, after which the Yankees deemed him ready for a return to the mound.
The upcoming series at Yankee Stadium is crucial, featuring two of the top teams in the American League East. The Yankees enter the week with a 50-24 record, while the Orioles trail closely at 47-24.
Cole, 33, had an outstanding 2023 season, posting a 15-4 record with a league-leading 2.63 ERA in 33 starts. He struck out 222 batters and walked 48 over 209 innings, earning his first Cy Young Award.
Over his 11-year major league career with the Pittsburgh Pirates (2013-17), Houston Astros (2018-19), and Yankees (2020-23), Cole boasts a 145-75 record with a 3.17 ERA in 300 starts. He has accumulated 2,152 strikeouts over 1,859 innings, averaging 10.4 strikeouts per nine innings.
Despite Cole’s absence, the Yankees have managed well. Rookie Luis Gil has been impressive, securing a spot in the rotation with a 9-1 record and a 2.03 ERA over 14 starts. Collectively, New York’s starters have achieved the lowest ERA in the majors at 2.90, contributing significantly to the team’s success.
