Gerrit Cole will take another significant step in his recovery from elbow inflammation on Tuesday.
The reigning Cy Young winner is scheduled to face live hitters for the first time since being shut down midway through spring training. Aaron Boone wasn’t sure who would hit against Cole or what his exact plans were, but the manager called the development an “important” one after the Yankees’ ace threw a two-up bullpen over the weekend.
“We just want to continue to progress and continue to stack good days,” Boone said Monday before the Yankees’ series opener against the Mariners, “and that’s another step along the way of getting out there on the bump and facing hitters.”
Boone added that Cole recovered well after his two-up, 40-pitch bullpen on Saturday. The right-hander had trouble recovering after outings early in spring training, but that hasn’t been an issue since Cole began throwing on April 8.
Cole, on the 60-day injured list, is eligible to return at the end of this month, but that is not going to happen given where he’s at in his recovery. The Yankees have said that he will need a full spring training-type routine, which typically consists of five starts.
Hamilton on COVID-19 List
The Yankees lost a member of their bullpen on Monday when they placed Ian Hamilton on the seven-day COVID-19 injured list.
The move is retroactive to May 19. It’s also the first time the Yankees have used the COVID-19 IL since 2022.
Boone said that he first learned Hamilton wasn’t feeling well before Sunday’s game against the White Sox. The Yankees sent him home before first pitch.
With the right-handed Hamilton on the shelf, the Yankees added left-hander Clayton Andrews to the active roster. The team also designated Colby White, a righty, for assignment.
A key component in the Yankees’ bullpen, Hamilton has a 3.18 ERA over 22.2 innings in his second season with the team. He had been a bit off lately, allowing three earned runs in his last five games.
A multi-inning weapon, Hamilton has logged more than three outs in eight of his 19 appearances.
Hamilton’s absence comes with Tommy Kahnle nearing his return. The right-hander, who had his throwing program delayed in spring training, is expected back on Wednesday.
In the meantime, Andrews will get a chance despite recording a 6.60 ERA over 15 innings at Triple-A. The 5-6, 160-pound reliever was acquired from the Brewers in February.
“Good stuff,” Boone said of Andrews. “Obviously, it’s a different slot down there. But life on the fastball, and then he can spin it, too. But really, it’s the fastball with ride with a really good changeup. So we’ll use him where we see fit. Hopefully he gets in there and he can do the job.”
Andrews appeared in four games for Milwaukee last season. The 27-year-old allowed 10 earned runs.
LeMahieu’s Usage
Boone said that he expects DJ LeMahieu (nondisplaced foot fracture) to get “the bulk” of playing time at third base when he returns, though the Yankees will ease him in a little bit. Oswaldo Cabrera and Jon Berti have been manning the hot corner with LeMahieu out.
LeMahieu could also give Anthony Rizzo some rest by playing first base.
“First base is always in the mix for DJ, but we’ll see how it plays out,” Boone said. “I don’t expect to rest Rizz that much, but there’ll be some matchups where it makes some sense.”
With the minor leagues off on Monday, LeMahieu was getting work in at Yankee Stadium before the opener against Seattle. The plan is for him to play in back-to-back games on Tuesday and Wednesday before potentially playing in three straight over the weekend. From there, it’s possible he joins the Yankees on their West Coast road trip.
