TAMPA — Another week, another box checked for Gerrit Cole, all while continuing to impress the Yankees.
Five days shy of the one-year anniversary of undergoing Tommy John surgery, Cole threw two innings of live batting practice Friday afternoon at Steinbrenner Field, taking another step in his buildup toward what the Yankees hope is an early-season return.
The veteran right-hander threw 30 pitches, including breaking balls, and topped out at 97.5 mph with his fastball against the last batter he faced. “It actually felt good,” Cole said. “The second inning felt really good.”
This marked the third time Cole has faced hitters this spring, but the first across two innings and the first time Boone has watched from behind the mound, since the Yankees were playing on the road the last two times.
Boone indicated he was most encouraged by Cole’s command, something that often is the last thing to return for pitchers coming back from Tommy John.
“That’s what feels remarkable to me about what I’ve watched in my handful of bullpens that I’ve seen him, his live,” Boone said. “I know we’re talking about the stuff and obviously everyone gets excited about that, but how sharp he is [is impressive].”
Cole has reiterated a 14-18 month timeline for a return to the big league mound, which would mean May 11 at the earliest.
The Yankees are also cognizant of the fact that he did not throw a single inning last season and want to give the former AL Cy Young the best chance to be available to pitch in big games late in the year, so they will be disciplined with his timeline despite how good he has looked.
“Trouble is coming,” top pitching prospect Carlos Lagrange said with a grin through an interpreter.
Lagrange alternated innings with Cole and continued to dazzle with his fastball that regularly hit 101 mph.
“It’s silly,” Cole said. “I’ve never seen anything like it. It’s wild. … I’m just blown away by the velocity every time.”
Veteran outfielder Randal Grichuk, who arrived at camp last week as a non-roster invite, is likely to make his spring debut Monday. … Carlos Rodón, rehabbing after offseason elbow surgery to shave a bone spur and remove loose bodies, is scheduled to throw another bullpen session Saturday and could begin facing hitters his next time out. … Rafael Montero has still not reported to camp because of visa/paperwork issues after signing a minor league deal on Feb. 13.
The Yankees reassigned RHP Adam Kloffenstein to minor league camp.
