Player Performance and Team Context
Gerrit Cole was sidelined for the first 75 games of the season due to elbow inflammation. However, he made his highly anticipated 2024 debut on Wednesday night against the Baltimore Orioles. When Cole took the mound, it was clear he was filled with eagerness and determination.
Shaky Start and Quick Recovery
In his first inning back, Cole showed signs of rustiness, allowing a pair of hard-hit doubles and a run. Nevertheless, he quickly found his rhythm and settled into the game. By the end of the night, Cole delivered a performance that was both strong and encouraging. His fastball reached a top speed of 97.5 mph, and of the 28 fastballs he threw, they averaged 95.1 mph. This is not alarming given that he is still in the process of getting fully stretched out.
Pitching Repertoire
Cole's pitch mix was varied, relying heavily on his knuckle-curve and cutter, but also integrating his slider and changeup. He faced 16 batters in his four innings of work, earning six whiffs and 13 called strikes. Manager Aaron Boone allowed Cole to come out for the fifth inning, but after permitting a lead-off single to Cedric Mullins, he was lifted with the score tied at 1-1.
Relief Struggles and Team Context
Reliever Ron Marinaccio took over for Cole and unfortunately struggled. Marinaccio allowed a two-run homer to Ramón Urías and conceded another run before escaping the fifth inning. Despite these struggles, the Yankees starters have thrived during Cole's absence this season. Yankees starters lead all of baseball with a rotation ERA of 2.86, and only the Phillies and Padres rotations have recorded more strikeouts.
One standout in the Yankees rotation has been Luis Gil, who boasts an AL-leading ERA of 2.03. Cole's return is expected to further fortify an already formidable rotation, presenting a promising outlook for the Yankees as the season progresses.
Looking Ahead
Cole's season debut suggests he will soon deliver Cy Young-caliber performances. His next start is scheduled for Tuesday against the Mets, and both Cole and the Yankees are looking to build on his impressive return. The encouraging sign for Cole and the team was his fastball topping out at 97.5 mph, hinting at the potential for future dominant performances.
Manager Aaron Boone seemed confident in Cole's ability, which is why he allowed him to come out for the fifth inning. Cole's return has injected a renewed sense of optimism within the team, and his performance suggests that he will soon be back to his best.
Quotes from team personnel further underscore this optimism. "Encouraging for Cole and the Yankees is that his fastball topped out at 97.5 mph," said an insider. Another comment highlighted the potential for Cole to deliver Cy Young-caliber results again soon. Indeed, Cole's strong return is a promising sign for the Yankees as they aim to build momentum for the rest of the season.