BREAKING: Yankees make pitching move as Gerrit Cole news emerges
After three recent live batting practice sessions, rehabbing Yankees ace Gerrit Cole is likely to be cleared for his first rehab start on Tuesday night in Tampa with the Low-A Tarpons. An official announcement is expected soon, possibly by Sunday.
In the meantime, the Yankees needed another fill-in starter due to Clarke Schmidt being sidelined for 4-to-6 weeks with a lat strain. Manager Aaron Boone indicated that right-hander Cody Poteet would likely be called up from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, and this was confirmed on Saturday. Poteet made Schmidt’s start against the Giants on Saturday night and will probably remain in the rotation until Cole returns. Poteet, 29, had not pitched since May 19 due to a blister but was able to throw bullpen sessions this week and had been slated for a Triple-A start on Friday.
The Yankees have not disclosed specific plans for Cole yet, but if he makes four rehab starts, he could debut on June 25 in a Subway Series game against the Mets at Citi Field. If he requires five rehab starts, his first game back might be on June 30 in Toronto.
Boone is optimistic that Poteet will contribute effectively, similar to his performance in April when he was called up for a spot start in Cleveland, where he allowed one run over six innings in a Game 2 doubleheader, leading to an 8-2 Yankees victory.
Poteet had a 3-0 record with a 4.05 ERA in seven Triple-A starts. After missing most of 2022 and 2023 due to injuries, he became a free agent last winter and signed with the Yankees in January on a one-year, $750,000 contract.
“He can pitch,” Boone said. “Really good changeup. He had a strong outing for us against Cleveland. We were excited to sign him this winter. Despite his injuries, we felt he could help us. He missed most of the last two years, but we value him highly and believe he can contribute.”
To make room for Poteet, the Yankees optioned reliever Cody Morris, who had been called up from Triple-A on Thursday when Schmidt went on the 15-day injured list but did not play in any games during his brief stay with the Yankees.