New York Yankees right-hander Gerrit Cole (calf) will make his next turn in the starting rotation this Sunday at Wrigley Field versus the hosting Chicago Cubs. Yankees fans and Cole's fantasy managers were holding their collective breath on Tuesday night when the 33-year-old reigning American League Cy Young winner was forced to leave his start early on Monday against the Texas Rangers, but it turned out to be only because of a right-calf cramp. He will be ready to go on Sunday in a pretty neutral pitching matchup, but fantasy managers will want to roll him out there in their starting lineups. Cole got a late start to his 2024 season due to a right-elbow injury, but he appears to be rounding into midseason form at just the right time and has a 1.85 ERA with 40 K's and 11 walks in 34 innings in his last six starts since Aug. 4.

New York Yankees right-hander Gerrit Cole (calf) left his start on Monday against the Texas Rangers early with a trainer at Globe Life Field in the seventh inning and was pointing at his calf when he departed. Before leaving, Cole had allowed just one earned run on four hits while walking one and striking out nine in six innings of work. We won't know the severity of his calf injury until the team does some tests, so fantasy managers will want to check back later Monday evening or Tuesday morning. The Yankees and fantasy managers alike can ill-afford Cole to miss any time down the stretch, and an injury at this point could end up sidelining the ace through the rest of the month. Cole came into Monday's start on a strong five-start stretch in which he had a 1.93 ERA with 31 punchouts and 10 walks in 28 innings pitched.UPDATE: Cole left with a right-calf cramp, according to the team.

There is a strong expectation that New York Yankees right-hander Gerrit Cole will opt out of the final four years and $144 million of his nine-year, $324 million contract with the team as he tries to get into the free-agent mix this winter now that he's back from an early-season elbow injury and pitching well. However, if Cole chooses to opt out, the Yankees can nullify it by adding a 10th year at $36 million onto his original deal. The 33-year-old six-time All-Star and reigning American League Cy Young winner has only made 12 starts in 2024 due to a right-elbow injury that cropped up in spring training. After a small hiccup at the end of July, he has been the ace we've come to know him as in his last five starts, posting a 1.93 ERA with 10 walks and 31 strikeouts in 28 innings pitched.

New York Yankees right-hander Gerrit Cole threw six shutout innings while giving up just one hit to beat the Cleveland Guardians on Thursday at Yankee Stadium for his 150th career victory. Cole improved to 5-2 on the year despite walking five and striking out only two in the outing. He improved to 2-0 with a 1.17 ERA (three earned runs in 23 innings) in three starts in August since receiving 10 days of rest following a tough outing on July 24 due to general body fatigue. Cole joined Justin Verlander (260), Max Scherzer (216) and Clayton Kershaw (212) as the only active pitchers with at least 150 wins. It appears that the rest given to Cole recently has worked out well for the Yankees. After getting a late start to the year due to an arm injury, Cole entered Thursday's outing with a 4.15 ERA, a 1.36 WHIP and a 60:16 K:BB in 52 innings over 10 starts.

New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole threw six shutout innings with eight strikeouts in Friday evening's series-opening victory over the hosting Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Cole picked up his fourth win of the season on Friday against the Tigers, allowing just four hits and two walks in a dominant outing for New York. The 33-year-old reigning American league Cy Young Award winner has logged a disappointing 4.15 ERA and 1.37 WHIP with 60 punchouts and 16 walks over 52 2/3 frames (10 starts) for the Yankees this season.

New York Yankees right-hander Gerrit Cole, who was scratched from his scheduled start on Tuesday against the Philadelphia Phillies due to general body fatigue, reported no issues after throwing on Wednesday. Cole is expected to throw a bullpen session on Friday and will likely start this weekend against the division-rival Toronto Blue Jays. It's good news for Cole, the Yankees and his fantasy managers after he got a late start to the season due to an elbow injury he suffered in spring training. The 33-year-old reigning American League Cy Young will have a good matchup against the offensively-challenged Jays as he looks to bounce back after a tough start in 2024. Through his seven starts, Cole hasn't looked like an ace, posting a 5.40 ERA and 1.46 WHIP with 38 strikeouts and 12 walks in 35 innings. Hopefully, the six-time All-Star can turn things around with a little extra rest.

New York Yankees right-hander Gerrit Cole has been scratched from his start on Tuesday against the hosting Philadelphia Phillies due to general body fatigue. Right-hander Will Warren will make the start in his place. Cole got a late start to the 2024 season due to a right-elbow injury and has made only seven starts, so the Yankees aren't going to take any chances with their ace. The 33-year-old veteran surrendered six runs on eight hits (three homers) in 5 2/3 innings in a loss in his last outing last Wednesday against the crosstown-rival New York Mets, too. The former first overall pick has had a tough go of it in 2024 after getting a late start, posting a 5.40 ERA and 1.46 WHIP with 38 strikeouts and 12 walks in 35 innings pitched. Fantasy managers have to hope this little break can get the six-time All-Star back on track to close out the year.UPDATE: Cole said he doesn't expect to go on the injured list. It's not an arm issue, but he just wasn't recovering well in between his last start. Cole expects to start this weekend and isn't scheduled for any tests.

New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole delivered an impressive outing during Friday night's start in the Bronx against the division-rival Tampa Bay Rays, striking out eight batters over six innings of one-run ball on six hits and one walk. Cole notched his third win of the season on Friday against the Rays, looking to be in vintage form in his first appearance following the All-Star break. The 33-year-old fantasy ace will look to further close his buy-low window and improve on his 4.60 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, and 34:10 K:BB over 29 1/3 innings (six starts) in his next showing, but it will come against a locked-in New York Mets offense on Wednesday. Cole has a 6.64 ERA and 1.72 WHIP in eight starts in his career against the Mets, both his worst lifetime figures against any specific opponent in the major leagues.

New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole is slated to toe the rubber for the start of the second half of the year in Friday's series opener against the division-rival Tampa Bay Rays in the Bronx. It was an injury-shortened first half for Cole, one that positions the 33-year-old reigning American League Cy Young winner as an obvious buy-low candidate in fantasy leagues after yielding a lackluster 5.40 ERA (5.13 FIP), 1.45 WHIP, and 26:9 K:BB over 23 1/3 innings (five starts) so far this year. In eight appearances versus the Rays since 2022, however, Cole holds a 2.34 ERA with a 64:15 K:BB through 50 innings and will remain a set-and-forget fantasy play in all settings when play resumes on Friday.

New York Yankees right-hander Gerrit Cole turned in an excellent start in his team's 4-1 win over the Baltimore Orioles on Friday. Cole tossed six innings of one-run ball while allowing five hits, striking out seven, and walking one. He was credited with the win to improve his record to 2-1 on the season, to go along with a 5.40 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, and 26 strikeouts over 23 1/3 innings of work. After missing the first three months of the season with elbow irritation, Cole appears poised to lead fantasy pitching staffs in the second half of the season.

New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole looked like his old self on Sunday, tossing five solid innings against the Toronto Blue Jays and picking up the win in an 8-1 victory. Cole allowed one run on three hits and a walk while striking out six. Maybe more importantly, his fastball velocity was up to 96mph and topped out at 97.6mph, which is much more reminiscent of the ace that has been an elite fantasy option for years. Fantasy owners can breathe easier now and can consider starting him next week against the Boston Red Sox, although some caution is recommended.

New York Yankees right-hander Gerrit Cole was obliterated by the New York Mets in his start on Tuesday and said he intentionally dialed back his velocity because he threw 28 pitches in the first inning and was struggling with his command. Cole said he's healthy, which should ease the concerns of Yankees fans and fantasy managers after the forgettable outing in which he allowed six runs on seven hits (four home runs) while walking four and striking out none in four innings of work. It was just the 33-year-old's second start in 2024 after missing most of the first half due to a right-elbow injury, so Cole is understandably not yet in midseason form despite looking excellent on his minor-league rehab assignment. Last year's American League Cy Young winner will hope to bounce back in his next outing against the division-rival Toronto Blue Jays.

New York Yankees Gerrit Cole was anything but sharp in Tuesday's 9-7 loss to the Mets. The 33-year-old was making just his second start of the season after serving time on the injured list with nerve irritation and edema in his right elbow. After an encouraging season opener, Cole lasted just four innings in this one, allowing six runs on seven hits (including four home runs) and four walks with no strikeouts. Fantasy managers should not overreact to the poor outing, as Cole is the reigning American League Cy Young Award winner and has been one of fantasy's top pitchers for many seasons. He will have a good opportunity to right the ship in his next start, which is scheduled to be at the slumping Blue Jays.

New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole (elbow) is expected to make his first rehab start on Tuesday with Double-A Somerset. This is a big step for the Yankee ace, who has been on the 60-day injured list since March with right elbow inflammation. The 33-year-old performed very well when facing live hitters over the past week and will now embark on the final step in his recovery process. However, the reigning AL Cy Young winner should be expected to make several rehab starts before being activated, setting up a potential return date in late June or early July. Cole posted a stellar 2.63 ERA with a dominant 0.98 WHIP and 48:222 BB:K ratio last season and will immediately slot in as a top pitching option in all fantasy formats.

New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole's (elbow) next outing could come in a minor-league rehab game on Tuesday, assuming he bounces back from Thursday's live batting practice session well. No matter what level Cole begins his rehab assignment at, the fact that he's on the precipice of returning to game action is a major step forward in his throwing program as he builds his arm back up from right elbow discomfort. If he indeed gets an appearance in the minors on Tuesday, it puts the hard-throwing 33-year-old fantasy superstar firmly on track to rejoin New York's rotation before the end of June. The first-place Yankees certainly aren't going to rush their ace back into the fray, but it's fair to wonder if there's more of a sense of urgency to get Cole back now with upstart right-hander Clarke Schmidt (lat) heading to the injured list with an indefinite absence on Thursday.

New York Yankees right-hander Gerrit Cole (elbow) said he felt good on Thursday after throwing 43 pitches and using his entire arsenal during a live batting practice session. Cole said that the next step is for him to recover from this session before possibly going on a minor-league rehab assignment soon. We'll update you when we know of a potential date and location for Cole to begin a rehab assignment. All signs are pointing toward the reigning American League Cy Young winner pitching in games in the minors soon and making his 2024 debut for the Yankees at some point in June, barring setbacks. The 33-year-old ace has been dealing with right-elbow inflammation since spring training and has had a long recovery process, but fantasy managers are beginning to be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole (elbow) is scheduled to toss live batting practice again on Thursday in Tampa Bay, manager Aaron Boone said prior to Wednesday's game against the hosting Los Angeles Angels. It'll be Cole's third session facing hitters, with a two-inning, 30-pitch outing set to follow on Saturday. Cole still has a chance to be reinstated from the 60-day injured list sometime in June as long as he starts a minor-league rehab assignment sometime in the next week or two. The 33-year-old reigning American League Cy Young Award winner is obviously a must-stash fantasy asset, but the Yankees will have a tough decision to make regarding the odd man out when their ace returns from right elbow discomfort. Right-handers Clarke Schmidt and Luis Gil have done an admirable job in New York's rotation, and they remain close to must-roster players at this point in time.

New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole threw another successful live batting practice session on Saturday. The Yankees will see how he feels today before determining next steps, but it sounds like he could potentially begin a rehab assignment "as soon as this coming week." Everything seems to be going according to plan which still puts Cole's return likely around the end of June or early July after he makes a few rehab starts, assuming he does not suffer any setbacks.

New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole (elbow) will throw another live batting practice on Saturday per Yankees manager Aaron Boone. Cole threw a live batting practice on Tuesday without setbacks so another positive session on Saturday would be a great sign for the Yankees' ace. When Cole is able to return from the injured list at the end of May he will likely need multiple rehab starts before being able to rejoin the Yankees' rotation. New York has surprisingly been able to succeed without Cole pitching at all this season, finding themselves atop the AL East with a 35-17 record and a three game lead over the Baltimore Orioles. This gives a little bit more cushion for Cole to not rush his return and take his time. Fantasy managers should continue stashing the Cy Young winner on their bench until he's active, likely at some point in late June or early July.

New York Yankees right-hander Gerrit Cole (elbow) threw a live batting practice session on Tuesday and said he'll throw two to three more live sessions. Cole's next live batting practice will come this weekend after he threw 20 pitches on Tuesday. The reigning American League Cy Young winner isn't ruling out a June return. It's the first time that the 33-year-old has faced live hitters, a significant step along the way in his recovery since being diagnosed with right-elbow inflammation. Because of how long Cole has been sidelined, he's going to require a lengthy minor-league rehab stint and will not be ready to come off the 60-day injured when he's eligible to return later this month. Cole should not be available on the waiver wire in any fantasy leagues.