New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole is making steady progress in his rehabilitation from elbow inflammation. Cole has advanced to throwing from 120 feet, up from 50 tosses on Tuesday at Yankee Stadium. The reigning Cy Young winner is unsure when he will make his first mound appearance since being sidelined in spring training, but manager Aaron Boone indicated that it could occur next week. Cole, who will take Wednesday off, expressed satisfaction with his recovery thus far and noted the similarities to an offseason ramp-up.
Third baseman DJ LeMahieu has embarked on a rehab assignment with Double-A Somerset as he recovers from a non-displaced fracture in his right foot. LeMahieu is scheduled to play in four minor league games, including Tuesday’s contest, with the potential to join the Yankees on their upcoming trip to Baltimore next week.
First baseman Anthony Rizzo, who has struggled at the plate with a .227 average and only one home run, has dismissed concerns about his health. Rizzo attributed his struggles to a lack of selectivity and expressed confidence in his ability to improve.
Yankees pitching prospect Trystan Vrieling has excelled in his professional debut at Double-A Somerset. The 23-year-old has recorded a 0.48 ERA, 18 strikeouts, and six walks in three starts and 18.2 innings. Vrieling’s recent performance, including holding the Hartford Yard Goats hitless over 7.2 innings on April 19, earned him the Eastern League Pitcher of the Week award.
