MLB
Yankees ace Cole to return after recovering from Covid-19
Gerrit Cole, a four-time All-Star, will take to the mound against the Los Angeles Angels.
New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole will start Monday's MLB clash against the Los Angeles Angels after recovering from coronavirus.
Cole out for a fortnight
Cole landed on the Covid-19 casualty list following a positive test on 3 August, having not pitched since the Yankees' showdown with the Tampa Bay Rays on 29 July. But the four-time All-Star will take to the mound against the Angels.
"I'm feeling good, ready to go," Cole said on Sunday. "I'm very much looking forward to it. I don't think we'll push the limits by any means because the recovery will be important, but I'm ready to pitch."
In 2021, Cole has a 3.11 ERA through 21 games, with 176 strikeouts and a 10-6 win-loss record. He is tied for fourth this season in shutouts, only behind Anthony DeSclafani of the San Francisco Giants, Oakland Athletics star Sean Manaea and Philadelphia Phillies ace Zack Wheeler. Only Wheeler (187) has managed more strikeouts than Cole this season.
The Yankees (65-52) are third in the American League (AL) East, behind the high-flying Rays (71-47) and Boston Red Sox (69-51), while they are two and a half games adrift in the Wild Card race.
"I think we've done a really great job," Cole said. "We're playing good baseball, but we still feel like we can play just a little bit better. Now we're just looking for the final piece to push it over the edge and really get white-hot here."