Gerrit Cole's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole threw another successful live batting practice session on Saturday. The Yankees will see how he feels today before determining next steps, but it sounds like he could potentially begin a rehab assignment "as soon as this coming week." Everything seems to be going according to plan which still puts Cole's return likely around the end of June or early July after he makes a few rehab starts, assuming he does not suffer any setbacks.

New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole (elbow) will throw another live batting practice on Saturday per Yankees manager Aaron Boone. Cole threw a live batting practice on Tuesday without setbacks so another positive session on Saturday would be a great sign for the Yankees' ace. When Cole is able to return from the injured list at the end of May he will likely need multiple rehab starts before being able to rejoin the Yankees' rotation. New York has surprisingly been able to succeed without Cole pitching at all this season, finding themselves atop the AL East with a 35-17 record and a three game lead over the Baltimore Orioles. This gives a little bit more cushion for Cole to not rush his return and take his time. Fantasy managers should continue stashing the Cy Young winner on their bench until he's active, likely at some point in late June or early July.

New York Yankees right-hander Gerrit Cole (elbow) threw a live batting practice session on Tuesday and said he'll throw two to three more live sessions. Cole's next live batting practice will come this weekend after he threw 20 pitches on Tuesday. The reigning American League Cy Young winner isn't ruling out a June return. It's the first time that the 33-year-old has faced live hitters, a significant step along the way in his recovery since being diagnosed with right-elbow inflammation. Because of how long Cole has been sidelined, he's going to require a lengthy minor-league rehab stint and will not be ready to come off the 60-day injured when he's eligible to return later this month. Cole should not be available on the waiver wire in any fantasy leagues.

New York Yankees right-hander Gerrit Cole (elbow), who played catch on Monday, is scheduled to face live hitters on Tuesday for the first time in his rehab process. Cole is finally moving to facing live hitters after throwing off a mound for the last couple of weeks as he tries to return from nerve irritation and edema in his right elbow. The 33-year-old hasn't pitched in a game since early in spring training in March and still has plenty of boxes to check off, but fantasy managers may finally be starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. The reigning American League Cy Young winner will eventually have to go on a minor-league rehab assignment, but if he doesn't suffer any setbacks along the way, he could make his 2024 debut before the All-Star break in the middle of July.

New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole (elbow) threw a bullpen session on Saturday, and his fastball was clocking in at the low 90s. Yankees pitching coach Matt Blake said that Cole is "one notch ahead of your typical spring training progression." This means that the reigning AL Cy Young winner has a chance to face live hitters sometime next week. However, the 33-year-old is still several weeks away from a return, which could be somewhere around the mid-June or early July timetable. Cole should be rostered in all formats and will be inserted at the top of the Yankees rotation when he returns. This will likely send either Luis Gill or Clarke Schmidt to the bullpen if the Yankees opt to continue with a five-man starting rotation. However, both pitchers have performed quite well with a 2.39 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, and 2.49 ERA,1.13 WHIP, respectively, and could push the Yankees into having a six-man rotation.