Gerrit Cole Delivers Gem in First Rehab Outing at Somerset

Gerrit Cole wouldn't say directly if he is ready to return to the Major League mound just yet, but the results were really, really good.

"Definitely close. Not sure how many we will need, but close," Cole told reporters after his outing in Somerset.

In his first rehab start with the Double-A Somerset Patriots, Cole was dealing. In three-and-a-third innings the 2023 Cy Young Award winner, scattered two hits, while striking out five before leaving the game with 45 pitches under his belt to a standing ovation. His top speed hit at 97 mph according to the Patriots radar gun.

"It was nice to get back in the flow of things," Cole said. "I threw all my pitches for strikes, I was able to move the ball around the plate to the top and bottom of the strike zone. It was good."

The opening frame was a bit of a sluggish start for Cole, who served up a single to Colorado Rockies prospect Adael Amador on a curveball that didn't bite the corner enough. Cole soon settled in, and struck out Sterlin Thompson swinging on a high fast one up in the zone.

After inducing a ground ball on Ryan Ritter, Cole struck out Yaniquel Fernandez swinging to get out of the early jam.

It was all smooth sailing the rest of the way for the Yankees ace.

He struck out three more battlers including Thompson one last time to open the fourth inning before coming out of the game to a standing ovation. Cole put his hand in the air to acknowledge the crowd.

"I think the objective was to stabilize the amount of pitches we have thrown the last two outings. You have to proceed to the next inning, so there was some extra intensity, there was a large crowd. You get up to that threshold for the next environment," Cole said.

"I'm excited to have him here with all the young pitchers here who get to see him throw in Somerset. It's a good experience for the players," Patriots manager Raul Dominguez said.

WHAT'S NEXT?

Whether Cole gets called up to the Big Leagues to continue his rehab, moves up to Triple-A, or makes his next start right here in Somerset on Sunday is up in the air at this point.

ATTENDANCE

It was standing room only at TD Bank Ballpark as the Patriots set a record as an affiliate of the Yankees at the Double-A level with over 8,260 in attendance.

Gerrit Cole was taken aback by the huge crowd,

"It was just a lively environment," Cole said. "The Yankees have done a great job, and the Somerset Patriots have done a great job."

MORE NEW YORK YANKEES

He arrived in a black SUV with the song "Woke Up This Morning" which has become so synonymous with the HBO drama The Sopranos blaring over the sound system. Steve Schirripa, popped out of the van to a loud applause. His dog Willie Boy with him, as well as family and friends. Yes, indeed Sopranos Night just hit differently in Somerset, New Jersey on a cool June evening.

How big was the night? Well, 7,619 people came out to the see the Sopranos and Blue Bloods star, and the Somerset Patriots pound the Bowie Baysox 6-2.