Yankees injury update: Cole going good, Kahnle nears return, and Berti, Burdi, Brubaker on track

New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole continues to make strides in his recovery from elbow inflammation that has kept him sidelined since spring training. On Tuesday, he engaged in a long toss session at Yankee Stadium, showcasing continued progress in his rehabilitation process.

However, a key hurdle still remains. There’s yet to be a definitive date set for when Cole will progress to throwing off a mound, a crucial step in his rehab journey. Manager Aaron Boone, while encouraged by Cole’s progress, acknowledged the lack of a clear timeline for mound work.

“He had a good day,” Boone said after Cole’s Tuesday session, offering a positive outlook on his recovery.

Currently, on the 60-day injured list, Cole’s earliest possible return date is May 27th. However, realistically, this target date appears unlikely given the absence of mound work so far.

Recent updates offer a more nuanced picture. Boone mentioned an expectation for Cole to begin throwing off the mound next week, suggesting positive results from his flat-ground sessions. While an initial hope for a return around June 1st existed, a more cautious approach might push that timeline back to late June or even early July. The Yankees clearly prioritize a complete recovery over a rushed return for their star pitcher.

Yankees bullpen gets a boost as Tommy Kahnle nears return

New York Yankees reliever Tommy Kahnle is making swift progress in his journey back to the bullpen, with manager Aaron Boone announcing a live batting practice session scheduled for Wednesday at the team’s development complex in Tampa.

This news comes on the heels of a successful outing on Saturday, where Kahnle faced live hitters for 15 pitches, as reported by Max Goodman of The Newark Star-Ledger.

Kahnle’s recovery timeline has been steadily progressing. He began throwing bullpen sessions on April 12th and has transitioned to facing live batters. Wednesday’s session will be another step forward, potentially leading to a minor league rehab assignment soon after.

This is a welcome development for the Yankees, who have been grappling with bullpen struggles this season. It’s worth noting that Kahnle himself battled injuries last season. Biceps tendinitis sidelined him for two months, delaying his debut until June 1st. However, upon his return, the 34-year-old right-hander was dominant, posting an impressive 2.66 ERA, a remarkable 1.017 WHIP, and an impressive 48 strikeouts across 40.2 innings pitched. His return to the bullpen will provide a much-needed boost to the Yankees’ pitching staff.

Berti nears rehab, Burdi progressing, Brubaker on track

The New York Yankees received positive updates on several injured players on Tuesday.

Infielder Jon Berti, who has been sidelined for the past week due to a left groin strain, is nearing a return to action. He played in his second rehab game for Double-A Somerset within three days on Tuesday. While batting second and starting at third base, Berti went 0-for-2 with two walks and a stolen base. Despite being eligible to return to the major leagues for over a week, the Yankees anticipate activating Berti later this week.

Recovering from right hip inflammation since April 19th, reliever Nick Burdi completed a bullpen session on Tuesday in Somerset. While he becomes eligible to come off the 15-day injured list on Thursday, Burdi still has hurdles to clear. He needs to face hitters in at least one live batting practice session and likely pitch in one additional rehab game before rejoining the major league team.

Burdi impressed early in the season, throwing 6.1 scoreless innings across seven appearances and striking out eight batters before his injury. If his recovery continues on schedule, Burdi could be back on the mound for the Yankees this week.

Acquired in a trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates in March, right-handed pitcher JT Brubaker is recovering from Tommy John surgery that sidelined him for the entire 2023 season. Brubaker remains on the 60-day injured list, a status he held when acquired. Manager Aaron Boone provided an encouraging update on Tuesday, stating that Brubaker “has been throwing for a while now,” indicating progress in his rehabilitation. Boone expressed optimism about Brubaker being a viable option for the Yankees pitching staff at some point during the summer. The 30-year-old boasts a career ERA of 4.99 over 63 games (61 starts) during his three seasons with the Pirates.

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