Upon entering a brand new month, the New York Yankees are finding themselves navigating a tumultuous period in their pitching rotation. On one hand, reigning AL Cy Young winner Gerrit Cole is edging closer to his much-anticipated return after an unfortunate spring training injury. On the other hand, the team is reeling from the loss of promising starter Clarke Schmidt to a lat strain. This contrasting turn of events has left fans and analysts speculating about the implications for the Bombers’ season.

Will Cole’s return be enough to offset the loss of Schmidt? Can the Yanks maintain their impressive rotation performance amidst these changes? The answers to these questions remain uncertain, but it is quite evident that the team’s pitching staff is facing a pivotal moment.

Gerrit Cole’s impending return ignites hope in Yankees’ rotation

A glimmer of optimism shines through Cole’s recent progress in his rehab process. Greg Joyce of the New York Post reports that on Thursday, the ace had thrown 43 pitches in a simulated game at the team’s player development complex, marking a significant step forward. Manager Aaron Boone hinted at the possibility of Cole starting a rehab assignment as early as Tuesday, potentially paving the way for his return by the end of June or early July at the farthest.

Thankfully, Boone has expressed his satisfaction with Cole’s latest performance, reflecting that he has “talked to Gerrit, sounds like everything went well today. He was pretty pleased with his outing and just how he felt.” This positive update has invigorated fans who have eagerly awaited Cole Train’s return to the mound.

The Yankees have been cautious enough with Gerrit Cole’s rehab, prioritizing a full recovery over a rushed return. Once he begins his rehab assignment, a 30-day clock will start, dictating his potential return timeline. The team will then utilize most of those days to gradually increase Cole’s workload, ensuring that the ace is absolutely prepared for the rigors of Major League Baseball.

Cole’s comeback bid carries immense significance for the Bombers, who have been playing without their top ace since spring training due to nerve inflammation in his right elbow. His return would bolster a rotation that has already been performing admirably, thanks in part to the contributions of Cole’s ‘student,’ Luis Gil, and Clarke Schmidt—the latter of whom has now been rendered inactive due to an injury of his own.

Clarke Schmidt’s injury casts a shadow as Bombers enter a four-game series against Giants

Following the temporary sidelining of Gerrit Cole, the Yankees’ rotation suffered a significant blow with Clarke Schmidt’s right lat strain, which will sideline him for four to six weeks. This unforeseen setback has cast a shadow over the team’s pitching plans, with their season’s first game against the San Francisco Giants taking place tonight at 10:15 EDT.

Schmidt, who had been enjoying a breakout season with a 2.52 ERA through 11 starts, has expressed his disappointment himself, saying, “It’s definitely devastating… A big part of me feels like I’m letting the team down because I’m not doing that part of being available every five days.”

The Yankees will now have to rely on Cody Morris and Cody Poteet, both of whom have been called up from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, to fill Schmidt’s spot in the rotation for now. Poteet has previously shown promise, delivering a strong performance in a spot start earlier this season. Despite the reinforcements, Schmidt’s absence will undoubtedly test the Bombers’ pitching depth.

The team had been riding a historic streak of 16 consecutive games in which their starters, helmed by Luis Gil, had pitched at least five innings and allowed two or fewer runs. This streak came to an end on Thursday, highlighting the potential challenges the rotation may face without Schmidt. They will need their remaining starters to step up in his absence, particularly with Gerrit Cole’s return still uncertain. The Yankees’ ability to weather this storm will be a critical factor in their pursuit of a successful season.