The New York Yankees scratched Gerrit Cole from his scheduled start Sunday against the Reds, and the internet did what it always does. It panicked. Every time a pitcher with a recent elbow injury gets pulled from a start, people assume the worst. But Cole himself says that’s not what happened here.
According to Brendan Kuty of The Athletic, Cole confirmed he’s healthy and ready to go for Monday’s game in Detroit. Kuty posted on X that Cole said the decision to push the whole rotation back a day was “a process-oriented decision,” not a medical one. The pitcher essentially said he could have started Sunday but the team chose to give everyone an extra day instead.
Why the Yankees pushed Cole back
This isn’t a cover-up for a new injury. The Yankees are managing workloads. Cole just returned from an elbow issue that kept him out for months, and they’re being careful with him. That’s the boring but accurate explanation. He’s made five starts since coming back, posting a 2.57 ERA with 24 strikeouts in 28 innings. He’s been solid. The team just doesn’t see a reason to push him unnecessarily.
The Reds won the first game of the series 10-2, so the Yankees aren’t exactly rolling right now. But this isn’t about Sunday’s game. It’s about October. New York knows Cole is their most important pitcher down the stretch, and they’re not going to take risks with him in early June.
Cincinnati could take the series
Without Cole on the mound, the Yankees are at a disadvantage for the series finale. But they’ve got a comfortable enough spot in the standings that one regular season game isn’t worth worrying about too much. The bigger picture is Cole staying healthy and sharp. If an extra day of rest helps with that, it’s the right call.
For now, the Yankees rotation just gets bumped back a day. Cole starts Monday in Detroit. Everyone breathes again.
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