Mar 29, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; New York Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole smiles during batting practice before the game against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
MLB: New York Yankees at Houston Astros
NEW YORK — The New York Yankees are the hottest team in baseball, and their roster still isn’t complete.
On the mound, the Yanks lead the majors in ERA, while also sitting in the top five in wins, saves, and strikeouts. All of this without reigning Cy Young Award winner, Gerrit Cole. Cole is rehabbing steadily down in Tampa, most recently throwing 2 simulated innings, each at 15 pitches.
Manager Aaron Boone is hesitant to speak in any absolutes about Cole’s return to the team, but has acknowledged his ace is on the right track. After Cole threw 20 pitches to his teammates in Seattle, Boone added, “Things are going well and that was another big step. He’ll probably have another couple of these, and then we start to build from there.”
There have been rumors that the Yankees could turn to a six-man rotation with Cole’s return, but regardless their depth is promising for postseason success.
On the other side of the ball, DJ LeMahieu is set to start tonight against the Angels. After a foot fracture was discovered in spring training, the former batting champ spent the early part of the season on the sideline, until his rehab assignments began in late April.
With a number of games under his belt in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, LeMahieu will now take over for Oswaldo Cabrera at third base. As a proven utility player, he brings depth to the infield offering relief to Rizzo, Volpe, and Torres.
As the trio of Judge, Stanton, and Soto continue to destroy baseballs, and Luis Gil makes his campaign for Rookie of the Year, the Yankees are in as good of a position to reach the promised land as ever before.
The Bronx Bombers are 17-5 in their last 22 games and are hoping their veteran talent can slide in and continue the winning ways. They will have one of their core pieces in LeMahieu back tonight in Los Angeles, with the first pitch scheduled for 9:38.
