When the Yankees desperately needed a big performance to climb the American League East standings as the All-Star break approached, their ace, Gerrit Cole, stepped up magnificently.
The Yankees Need Gerrit Cole Back in Form
After recovering from a nerve injury in his throwing elbow, Cole took a few starts to regain his former prowess. His return to peak condition was evident in his recent outing against the formidable Baltimore offense.
On Friday night, Cole delivered an outstanding performance, pitching six innings during which he allowed five hits and just one earned run, while also notching seven strikeouts. His 106 pitches were a clear testament to his recovered stamina and readiness.
Despite maintaining a season ERA of 5.40, it is reasonable to afford Cole some leniency, considering the severity of his injury and the extensive rehabilitation it necessitated. Although he has only pitched 23.1 innings so far this season, his solid underlying metrics suggest rapid improvement. Notably, Cole’s fastball velocity has slightly decreased by about 1 mph due to deliberate changes in his pitching strategy, but he achieved a promising 96.3 mph in Friday’s game.
Strengthening the Rotation
Cole’s resurgence is a significant boost to the Yankees’ starting rotation, particularly as Clarke Schmidt and Cody Poteet are on the mend from their own injuries. They are expected to play crucial roles upon their return, either bolstering the bullpen or, depending on manager Aaron Boone’s strategy, possibly allowing Luis Gil to shift into a relief role to manage his innings and prevent fatigue.
Looking Ahead: Trade Possibilities and Team Adjustments
With the trade deadline looming at the end of July, General Manager Brian Cashman might seek additional support for the rotation, especially given Carlos Rodon’s struggles. Rodon, unfortunately, is enduring a challenging season with a 4.63 ERA over 103 innings. Notably, his difficulties are not due to injury but stem from poor pitch location and a less effective fastball, which is pivotal to his performance.
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At this juncture, the Yankees might consider supplementing Rodon’s innings or devising strategies to catalyze a turnaround. However, such optimism might be a tall order given the current circumstances.