Gerrit Cole taking big step toward his return from injury

Feb 14, 2020; Tampa, Florida, USA; New York Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole (45) throws during a spring training workout at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports

New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole is taking a major step toward his return to action this week.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone announced Sunday that Cole will make a rehab start for Double-A Somerset on Tuesday. That marks Cole’s first game action since his elbow issue flared up during spring training, and is his biggest step yet toward getting back on a Major League mound.

Gerrit Cole will start Tuesday for @SOMPatriots, Aaron Boone said.

— Bryan Hoch ⚾️ (@BryanHoch) June 2, 2024

It is not clear how many rehab starts Cole might need before he is ready to return to the Yankees. His recent efforts in live batting practice suggest he is close, but the Yankees might want to play it safe given his importance to the team. It helps that they have been rolling without him, entering play Sunday at 41-19, the best record in the American League.

Cole is the reigning AL Cy Young winner, going 15-4 with a 2.63 ERA in 209 innings last season.