Yankees Make Pitching Move as Gerrit Cole Nears Return
SAN FRANCISCO — Following three recent live batting practice sessions, Yankees ace Gerrit Cole is expected to be cleared for his first rehab start on Tuesday night in Tampa with the Low-A Tarpons. An official announcement is anticipated soon, possibly by Sunday.
Meanwhile, with Clarke Schmidt sidelined for 4-to-6 weeks due to a lat strain, the Yankees needed a replacement starter. Manager Aaron Boone had hinted that right-hander Cody Poteet would likely be called up from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, which was confirmed on Saturday. Poteet started Saturday night’s game against the Giants and will likely remain in the rotation until Cole returns.
Poteet, 29, had been out since May 19 with a blister but had resumed bullpen sessions and was set to start a Triple-A game on Friday. Though the Yankees have not disclosed a specific plan for Cole, he could make his season debut around June 25 during the Subway Series against the Mets or on June 30 in Toronto, depending on the number of rehab starts he makes.
Boone is optimistic that Poteet will contribute effectively, as he did in April when he pitched six innings of one-run ball in a doubleheader against Cleveland, securing an 8-2 Yankees victory. Poteet has a 3-0 record with a 4.05 ERA in seven Triple-A starts this season. After missing most of the past two seasons due to injury, he joined the Yankees on a one-year, $750,000 contract in January.
“He can pitch,” Boone remarked, praising Poteet’s strong changeup and recalling his impressive outing against Cleveland. “We were excited to get him this winter. He’s coming off an injury, but we believe he can help us.”
To make room for Poteet on the roster, the Yankees optioned reliever Cody Morris, who had been called up on Thursday but did not appear in a game during his brief stint.
