Extra innings: Yankees’ off-the-field roundup

Yankees ace Cole claims to have made Rizzo’s 300th HR possible

New York Yankees first baseman Anthony Rizzo etched his name in baseball history on Sunday, joining the prestigious 300-home run club. While Rizzo deservedly received the lion’s share of the praise for becoming the 161st player to reach this milestone, his teammate Gerrit Cole ensured some lighthearted credit went his way as well.

Following the achievement, the Yankees ace took to his Instagram story with a playful jab. Sharing a graphic commemorating Rizzo’s feat, Cole humorously wrote, “If it wasn’t for me, you’d still have 299… glad to be a part of it!”

There’s some truth hidden within Cole’s lighthearted teasing. Back in 2019, when Rizzo suited up for the Chicago Cubs and Cole pitched for the Houston Astros, the powerful lefty launched a two-run home run in the first inning against Cole’s Astros. While that specific home run doesn’t count toward Rizzo’s current total of 300, it does highlight the history these two teammates share, albeit from opposing sides at the time.

MLB to modify Nike uniforms after complaints from players, fans

Major League Baseball (MLB) is set to modify its Nike uniforms for the 2025 season, according to a report from ESPN. This decision comes after complaints from both players and fans regarding the uniforms worn during the spring season.

The planned adjustments will address several concerns. Uniform nameplates will feature larger lettering for better visibility. Mismatched colorations between gray tops and bottoms will be corrected. Additionally, issues with pants that appeared see-through and fabric that reacted differently to sweat will be addressed. These changes were detailed in a memo distributed to players by the MLB Players Association on Sunday. The memo is reported to have placed blame on Nike and their new “Vapor Premier” uniform design, which prioritized performance over traditional aesthetics.

The Associated Press contacted the MLB Players Association for comment, but the organization declined to speak on the matter.

Tommy Kahnle is nearing rehab

There’s positive news for the New York Yankees bullpen, with key reliever Tommy Kahnle making significant strides in his recovery from a shoulder issue. According to NJ.com’s Max Goodman, Kahnle faced live hitters on Saturday, marking a crucial step forward in his rehab process.

This live batting practice session comes after Kahnle began throwing bullpen sessions on April 12th. The successful progression now indicates he’s likely to participate in another live bullpen session this week. Following this, the expectation is for Kahnle to embark on a minor league rehab assignment, bringing him closer to rejoining the major league team.

This news is particularly encouraging considering the Yankees’ recent bullpen struggles. They’ve been forced to cope with the absence of Jonathan Loaisiga, who underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery, and Nick Burdi, sidelined with right hip inflammation. Burdi, who impressed in his limited appearances with 6.1 scoreless innings and eight strikeouts across seven games, may be able to return this week if his rehab continues on schedule.

Kahnle’s return would be a major boost for the Yankees bullpen. Despite missing two months of the 2023 season with biceps tendinitis, he delivered stellar results upon his return in June. Across 40.2 innings pitched, he boasted a dominant 2.66 ERA, a remarkable 1.017 WHIP, and an impressive 48 strikeouts. His experience and proven ability to shut down opposing hitters will be a welcome addition to the relief corps.

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