Yankees Ace Gerrit Cole Impresses in Second Minor League Rehab Start

New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole took another significant step forward in his injury recovery, making his second consecutive minor league rehabilitation start on Wednesday. Pitching for the Class A Hudson Valley Renegades, Cole worked 4 1/3 innings, allowing two runs on five hits as he continues to build toward a return to the Yankees rotation.

The right-hander faced a steady lineup of young hitters and was able to showcase his trademark command and velocity, despite giving up a pair of runs. This outing marks Cole’s second straight appearance for Hudson Valley as part of his injury rehabilitation assignment, a crucial step after missing the beginning of the MLB season.

• 4 1/3 innings pitched
• 2 runs allowed
• 5 hits surrendered

Cole’s workload was managed closely by the Yankees organization, with pitch count and in-game monitoring to ensure his continued health. His performance signals progress and offers promise for a team that has had to navigate the early season without its ace. The Yankees’ pitching staff has felt the absence of Cole, who was the 2023 American League Cy Young Award winner and is considered one of the top starters in baseball.

The organization will continue to evaluate Cole’s readiness for a return to the major league club, with the possibility of at least one more minor league start to further build stamina and command. His sharpness in these rehab outings is an encouraging sign as New York eyes a boost to their rotation depth in the coming weeks.