Gerrit Cole Returns to the Mound: Progress and Prospects
1. He's (Nearly) Ready for Prime Time
The New York Yankees have managed to surpass expectations this season, even without the consistent presence of their star pitcher, Gerrit Cole. Holding the best record in the majors, the team is in the midst of a hot streak that has fans dreaming of a World Series run. However, for those dreams to become reality, Cole’s health and performance will be pivotal.
Cole made his long-anticipated season debut recently, which produced a mixed bag of results, leaving both hope and concern in the air. He pitched four-plus innings, allowing two runs on three hits, with five strikeouts and just a single walk. While these stats show promise, especially considering it was his first game back, there were noticeable areas for improvement.
Most notably, Cole’s fastball velocity was down by 1.6 mph compared to last season, a factor likely tied to his recent absence. He threw a total of 62 pitches, 40 of which were strikes, showcasing reasonable command over his arsenal. Impressively, he induced six whiffs and 13 called strikes, implying that his pitching still posed a challenge for hitters to square up.
However, the Orioles’ batters managed to hit six pitches at velocities of at least 101.5 mph, indicating that Cole was not yet at peak form. Despite this, he improved as the game went on, eventually exiting to a standing ovation in the fifth inning. Though he did not factor into the decision, the emotional weight of his return was palpable.
2. He Wasn't Happy with How It Ended
Despite the overall positive return, Cole was visibly upset with himself over specific pitches. He was particularly critical of a high fastball to Cedric Mullins that resulted in a single. Historically, Mullins has performed well against Cole, and this outing proved no exception.
3. There's 'More' to Come... but How Much More is a Mystery
A touching moment during the game was Cole’s son, visibly excited to see his father back in the dugout. Interestingly, manager Aaron Boone chose not to reveal Cole's pitch count before the game. Boone later sensed that Cole was fatigued after the fourth inning and made the strategic decision to pull him from the game.
The plan for Cole is to gradually increase his pitch count in future outings. Boone echoed these sentiments, saying, "I thought he got better as the game went along." Such progress bodes well for the Yankees’ future, especially as Cole works his way back to full strength.
Cole himself remains optimistic about his return to form. There’s a consensus within the team that Cole has more in the tank. Yankees fans will need to stay tuned to see how quickly Cole can ramp up to his usual dominant self.
Quotes
"This return was special and emotional," Cole admitted.
"Cedric got me again on a high fastball," Cole acknowledged.
"He could have continued pitching but was stopped strategically," Boone explained.
"I think the location was good," Cole noted.
"The consistency probably has to progress as well with the pitch count. It's encouraging," Cole remarked.
"I held up well," Cole said.
"I'm tired now. It just demands a higher level of focus and execution," Cole added.
"I definitely could keep making pitches," Cole remarked.
"It was strategic in the pitch count," Cole concluded.
As Cole continues to rekindle his form, every performance will be crucial for a Yankees team with championship aspirations. Each game will bring him closer to full capacity, holding the potential to turn the Yankees' World Series dreams into a reality. Fans and the team alike are eyeing Cole’s progress keenly, knowing that his return to peak form could be the key to a magical season.
