After three successful live batting practices, rehabbing Yankees ace Gerrit Cole is expected to be cleared for his first rehab start on Tuesday night in Tampa with the Low-A Tarpons. An official announcement is anticipated soon, possibly later on Saturday or even Sunday, according to reports from NJ.com.
Yankees remain uncertain on Gerrit Cole’s comeback timeline
Meanwhile, the Yankees are addressing another pitching gap due to Clarke Schmidt’s recent lat strain, which has sidelined him for 4 to 6 weeks. To fill Schmidt’s spot, the Yankees have called up right-hander Cody Poteet from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Manager Aaron Boone had previously indicated Poteet as the likely candidate, and the decision was confirmed on Saturday. Poteet, 29, is set to start in Schmidt’s place against the Giants on Saturday night and is expected to remain in the rotation until Gerrit Cole returns.
The Yankees have not outlined a specific rehab schedule for Gerrit Cole yet, but Erik Boland of Newsday reports there is a buzz that his rehab will start next Tuesday. If he makes four rehab starts, he could debut on June 25 in a Subway Series game against the Mets at Citi Field. If he requires five rehab starts, his first game back might be on June 30 in Toronto.
The team is hopeful that Poteet will continue to deliver solid performances, providing stability until Gerrit Cole is ready to rejoin the rotation. As the Yankees navigate these injury challenges, the contributions of players like Poteet are crucial in maintaining their competitive edge.
What do you think? Leave your comment below.
