Gerrit Cole hits the strike zone in Yankees' second rehab start

MLB

By Ryan Dunleavy

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — Gerrit Cole pounded the strike zone in his second rehab start.

Pitching on four days' rest against the same Double-A hitters he faced during a rehab start earlier this week, the Yankees ace continued to ramp up to return to MLB by pitching 44 of 57 pitches for strikes in 4 2/3 innings. the Somerset Patriots at TD Bank Ballpark, allowing one run with four strikeouts.

The question now is whether Cole will want one or two more minor league tune-ups before making his season debut for the first-place Yankees. He was sidelined with an elbow injury during spring training.

Cole's sixth pitch of the game and first against Rockies prospect Ryan Ritter was clocked at 91 miles per hour, according to the unofficial radar gun on the scoreboard at TD Bank Ballpark, but cleared the left field fence at a much higher speed. .

The reigning American League Cy Young Award winner touched 96 mph once and 95 mph five times.

After the home run, the only other hit against Cole was a line drive single to center field. He got out of a two-for-two out game in the second inning and struck out the last two batters he faced, bringing his total to four for the game as his fastball seemed to regain some no more life as he emptied the tank.

Cole threw 34 of 45 pitches while striking out five in 3 1/3 scoreless innings — while hitting 97 mph — in his first rehab start Tuesday for Somerset.

Spencer Jones, the Yankees. The No. 2 prospect, who got off to a slow start this season, homered to tie the game and free Cole from a potential loss.

About 100 fans lined the right-field line to watch Cole's pregame bullpen. The rest of the Patriots pitching staff gathered around and applauded when Cole finished.