Yankees News, 7/10: Cole explains reason for slump, Luke Voit, Miguel Andujar injury update

Over the last seven games this season for New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole, he’s earned a 4.69 ERA and 1.21 WHIP. During that frame, he has allowed 37 hits and 21 earned runs over 40.1 innings.

On the season, Cole features a 2.91 ERA, but the last few games have elevated his numbers significantly, making him look human after an alien-like start to the season. After the MLB banned sticky substances, which helped increase spin-rate and velocity, a number of pitchers began to see their stuff degrade, including Cole and Aroldis Chapman.

“At this point it has nothing to do with the rule enforcement four or five weeks ago. There’s ebbs and flows to your delivery as the game goes on throughout the season and we’ve got to tighten up some stuff and I’m trying to do that here and I’m trying to do that against good teams. So that’s where my focus has been and that’s what we’ve identified as a group as what needs to pick up a little bit.”

While Cole is quite confident he’s simply going through a lull, the timing is ever so conspicuous. We will have to monitor the rest of the season for the ace, but there’s no question his inability to use spider tack has made an impact, as his velocity is down and spin-rate is clearly struggling to a degree.

Injury updates on Miguel Andujar and Luke Voit:

Andujar is dealing with a strained hand and wrist and could be headed toward the injured list in the coming days. Andujar is hitting .253 this season, his best since 2018, over 45 games. Having spent the majority of his time in left field this year, he has smashed six homers and 12 RBIs, featuring a 17.3% strike-out rate. Losing his offensive prowess will undoubtedly have its impact, but the Yankees emerged victorious nonetheless against the Houston Astros on Friday by a score of 4-0.

Miggy could be added to the IL, but skipper Aaron Boone has not yet decided:

“We’ll see,’’ Boone said on Friday before the win over Houston. “We’ll have to make a call after [Friday]. We’ll see if he’s available.”

As for slugger Luke Voit, he recently returned from any injury before being plunked in the hand by a wild pitch. Voit is safe from any serious damage on the HBP but is taking a day off to make sure he doesn’t aggravate his injury.

“He’s gotten a little bit beat up this week, so I just felt like it felt like it was a good day to get Rougned in there,” Boone said. “(Voit) should be good to go for the next two games.”

The Yankees will take on the Astros over the weekend to finish a three-game series. Cole will feature on the mound against Zack Greinke on Saturday night at 7:15 PM.