Yankees ace Gerrit Cole says he is fully healthy, and there is no reason to doubt him.
But when manager Aaron Boone removed Cole after 88 pitches in Game 1 of the World Series, and it became clear through sources after Game 2 that the Yanks would not have Cole available to start or relieve on short rest, I couldn’t help but wonder if Cole was pitching through a physical issue of some kind. After all, he did not make his season debut until June 19 after a spring training elbow injury.
But a very trusted source shot this theory down.
“No,” the source insisted. “There’s nothing. He’s fine.”
Additionally, a Yankees person noted that the early hook in LA came only after Boone made a mound visit; the manager had not signaled to the bullpen while walking toward Cole. Accurately reading his ace’s body language and tone, Boone could tell that Cole felt he was done for the night. In other words, Cole was not on a short leash in the game.
The Yanks’ decision not to pitch Cole in Game 4 stemmed from the need to have Cole at full strength in order for the season to continue. The best path toward that, the Yankees concluded, was to pitch Luis Gil in Game 4 and a rested Cole in Game 5. So far, half of that plan has worked.
Cole had only pitched on short rest once in his MLB career, in the 2020 playoffs.
“I feel great right now,” Cole said on Tuesday afternoon. “I’m available whenever the team wants me to pitch. There’s nothing preventing me from pitching if the team wants me to pitch.”
And the pen?
The Yankees’ five-run eighth inning in Game 4 was crucial in preserving two key relievers for another elimination game on Wednesday. Had the Yankees lead been 7-4, Boone would have sent Luke Weaver back out for a third “up,” or inning in the ninth.
The manager said after Game 1 that his one possible regret was not leaving Weaver in to start the tenth, which would have been his third up. Boone had not wanted to lose Weaver for a few days after that.
He was prepared to make the adjustment and stick with Weaver in Game 4, but after the Yankees padded their lead, he told Tommy Kahnle to start throwing. When the offense continued to tack on, Kahnle sat and Tim Mayza closed out the game.
Weaver has thrown two days in the row, and had two ups on Tuesday. But Boone told SNY that “he’ll be good tomorrow.”
And what about Cortes?
Finally, the Yankees and Nestor Cortes have been working to determine how many days he needs to be down after an appearance. Cortes is pitching with a flexor strain. He contributed 1.2 innings in Game 3, and was unavailable in Game 4, he told SNY.
As for Game 5?
“I think so,” Cortes said. “I’m a little sore, but it’s a good sore. It’ll be a conversation for me and Boonie to have tomorrow.”
