Player Performance and Team Context
Gerrit Cole's road to recovery took a promising turn as he made his 2024 debut on Wednesday night against the Baltimore Orioles, having been sidelined for the first 75 games of the season due to elbow inflammation. The Yankees ace was back on the mound, eager and determined to make an impact.
Shaky Start and Quick Recovery
Cole’s return was marked by a mix of rustiness and resilience. His first inning back saw him allowing a pair of hard-hit doubles and a run, a sign of his initial struggle to find his rhythm. However, Cole quickly settled down and showcased a performance that was not only strong but also encouraging for the Yankees' faithful.
His fastball, a key element of his pitching arsenal, reached a top speed of 97.5 mph during the game. On average, his 28 fastballs clocked in at 95.1 mph, which isn't alarming considering he is still getting fully stretched out after his long hiatus.
Pitching Repertoire
Throughout his outing, Cole relied heavily on his knuckle-curve and cutter, but also mixed in his slider and changeup to keep the Orioles' hitters off-balance. He faced 16 batters over four innings, earning six whiffs and 13 called strikes, a clear indication of his sharp control and strategic pitch placement.
In a bid to stretch Cole's endurance, Manager Aaron Boone allowed him to start the fifth inning. However, after a lead-off single by Cedric Mullins, Boone decided to pull Cole with the score tied at 1-1.
Relief Struggles and Team Context
Reliever Ron Marinaccio took over from Cole and encountered immediate difficulties. Marinaccio surrendered a two-run homer to Ramón Urías and gave up another run before finally escaping the inning.
Despite Marinaccio's struggles, the Yankees' rotation has been remarkably resilient in Cole's absence. Yankees starters lead all of baseball with a rotation ERA of 2.86, trailing only the Phillies and Padres rotations in strikeouts. This solid performance has been driven by standout contributions from pitchers like Luis Gil, who boasts an AL-leading ERA of 2.03.
With Cole's return, an already formidable Yankees rotation looks even more intimidating for opposing teams.
Looking Ahead
Cole's season debut offered a glimpse of what could soon be Cy Young-caliber performances. His next start is slated for Tuesday against the Mets, and both Cole and the Yankees will be looking to build on the strong foundation laid in his return. Encouragement abounds for both player and team, with the expectation that Cole's fastball—already pushing 97.5 mph—will only become more consistent and dominant.
"Encouraging for Cole and the Yankees is that his fastball topped out at 97.5 mph," noted one insider, emphasizing the potential yet to be tapped in the coming starts. As Cole continues to regain his form, the Yankees' pitching rotation could become the cornerstone of a deep postseason run.
Quotes
Gerrit Cole’s impactful return is best summed up by those closest to him and the team:
"Cole's debut suggests he will soon deliver Cy Young-caliber results again."
"Manager Aaron Boone allowed Cole to come out for the fifth inning," highlighting the confidence and trust placed in him by the coaching staff.