After completing his second rehab assignment with the Double-A Somerset Patriots, New York Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole had a heartwarming moment with his son, Caden. The game, which resulted in a 4-2 victory against the Hartford Yard Goats at TD Bank Ballpark in Bridgewater, N.J., was followed by a sweet postgame scene.
Yankees’ Gerrit Cole making strides in rehab with family support
In a photo posted on Instagram by Gerrit Cole’s wife, Amy, Cole is seen kissing his 3-year-old son on the cheek. Caden was adorably dressed in a tiny Yankees uniform, mirroring his father’s outfit.
During his outing, Gerrit Cole delivered an impressive performance, pitching 4 2/3 innings with only two hits and one earned run. He struck out four batters without issuing any walks. Reflecting on his game, Cole said, “It was a pretty good day for my second rehab start. There are still things to work on, but I felt good overall. I wish I had sharpened my location a bit quicker, but that’s about it.”
Gerrit Cole‘s 57 pitches included 44 strikes, with his fastball consistently hitting the mid-90s. His focus on regaining his form and improving his pitch count was evident.
Amy, a former softball player, captured another special moment during the game, showing Caden watching his dad from the stands. Gerrit and Amy, who met at UCLA and married in 2016, have two sons: Caden, born in 2020, and Everett, born in January 2023.
The Yankees have not set a specific number of rehab starts for Gerrit Cole. Manager Aaron Boone mentioned that Cole might return to the team before being fully stretched out to 100 pitches.
“It’s possible he won’t come back to us at 100 pitches,” Boone said. “We haven’t decided on the exact point yet. Gerrit will have significant input on this decision.”
Gerrit Cole, who signed a nine-year, $324 million contract with the Yankees in late 2019, has been a crucial player for the team. Despite his recent injury, he is committed to returning to top form. “I want to feel confident that if I get into a situation where I need to throw 25-30 pitches, we can still keep going strong,” Cole emphasized. “The team has been playing exceptionally well. I want to ensure I’m ready to contribute effectively. It’s a collective decision, and we need to consider all the information before making the call.”
Meanwhile, the Yankees continue their strong season, improving to a 46-21 record with a 6-4 win over the Dodgers on Sunday at Yankee Stadium. Gerrit Cole’s anticipated return is expected to further strengthen the team as they aim for postseason success.
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