Bridgewater, New Jersey — From an organizational standpoint, what are the Yankees' goals for their ace? Gerrit ColeHis first rehab start on Tuesday was understandably low-key: getting back on the field, dealing with the stresses of game time, working his way up to 45-50 pitches and getting healthy again.
Cole checked off all but that last one, as his recovery is still up in the air, but the Somerset Patriots new recruit, who also happens to be the reigning American League Cy Young Award winner, has certainly made progress.
According to one source, Cole's fastball reached 95 mph during a 43-pitch bullpen session in Tampa last Thursday, which led to expectations that Cole's fastball on Tuesday would be in the 93-95 mph range. (Cole's four-seam fastball averaged 96.7 mph last year.)
Cole's first pitch was 94 mph, right in that range (the scoreboard said it was 96, but I was in the scout box and it was a mph or two lower throughout the game.) Cole then threw an 80 mph curveball for a single.
After 10 pitches, Cole had touched 95 three times and 96 twice, including at least one cutter in the mix.
As the game went on, his pitch velocity might have reached 97 mph, it might have even reached a high of 96 mph, and frankly, depending on the distance and angle of the throw from the mound, pitch velocity isn't always that accurate.
But a mile or two per hour really isn't the issue. After all, Cole's speed is where he needs to be. It's not as powerful as when he's hitting 99 or 100 mph at his best, but it's perfect for the first outing of his rehab.
Let's not forget that this is a pitcher who suffered an elbow injury during spring training that shocked the team and fans alike, fearing he would miss the entire season.
The scene in Bridgewater on June 4 was jubilant. With the Yankees' top three players in attendance and likely pleased, Cole left the mound with one out in the third inning. The standing-room only crowd erupted in roars, and Cole waved in appreciation.
By that time, he had thrown 45 pitches, 34 of which were strikes, struck out five, allowed two single hits, one walk and no runs.
The Hartford Yard Goats, the Colorado Rockies' Eastern League affiliate, didn't provide Cole with much stress, but when he did, he handled it in his own way.
With two outs and no bases loaded in the second inning, Cole hit Hartford's Braxton Fulford Down 1-2, Fulford fought well, fouling off fastballs, sliders and cutters. Finally, on the ninth pitch of the at-bat, Cole decided the dance was over. He took a 96- or 97-mph fastball and invited a weak flyout to right.
Cole threw every pitch, his velocity was on target and his slider sometimes lacked the sharpness it had at Yankee Stadium in mid-August, but he's clearly improving, and that's what his next few rehab games will be about.
As long as Cole wakes up feeling good on Wednesday and continues to do so over the next few days, the night will likely be as successful as everyone expected.
