Yankees ace Gerrit Cole showcased his skills in his first minor league rehab start on Tuesday night for the Double-A Somerset Patriots. Meanwhile, his wife, Amy Cole, who played college softball at UCLA, made an impressive play of her own, snagging a foul ball in the stands at TD Bank Ballpark.
The Patriots highlighted the moment by sharing a photo on their X account of Amy proudly holding her catch.
This outing marked Gerrit Cole’s first minor league appearance since 2016, the same year he married Amy. The right-hander had been sidelined since spring training due to nerve inflammation and edema in his throwing elbow, causing him to begin the 2024 season on the injured list.
Fans filled the New Jersey ballpark, eager to see the Yankees star donning his familiar No. 45 jersey during his rehab assignment. Gerrit Cole had not pitched in the minors since his permanent move to the majors in 2017.
While the focus was on Gerrit Cole’s rehab progress, Amy Cole attracted some attention by catching a foul ball barehanded from her seat. The Patriots celebrated her impressive snag on social media as the Yankees ace continued his journey back from injury.
Gerrit Cole’s rehab goes well
Gerrit Cole impressed fans during his rehab start, heightening anticipation for his return, a sentiment echoed by Yankees manager Aaron Boone.
He expressed optimism about his recent performance and his team’s chances of moving forward. He acknowledged the importance of focusing on each game individually, while also highlighting the positive momentum they’ve built.
Following Tuesday’s game, Boone shared that he watched part of Gerrit Cole’s outing and “thought he looked really sharp.” The manager highlighted Cole’s strong “command of the fastball and ability to get swings and misses.”
Boone expressed his satisfaction with Gerrit Cole’s recent pitching performance. Boone noted that Cole appeared sharp and in control during his outing, highlighting it as another positive development. He acknowledged the need to monitor his progress over the next few days.
Though the exact date of Gerrit Colee’s return to the Yankees’ rotation remains uncertain, he is slated for another rehab start with Double-A Somerset on Sunday. Cole has been sidelined since spring training due to nerve inflammation in his pitching elbow.
Gerrit Cole’ssuccessful rehab is a positive sign for the AL East-leading Yankees as they head into the playoff push. His return would significantly bolster their already strong rotation.
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