Gerrit Cole and Jasson Dominguez Shine in Eye-Opening Rehab Assignments

New York Yankees, Baseball, Featured, Professional, Somerset Patriots

June 13, 2024

BRIDGEWATER, NJ -- Gerrit Cole is working his way back to the New York Yankees rotation, and the Bronx is ready for the return of the Cole Train. Cole's first rehab start with the Somerset Patriots was in front of the largest crowd in their history of 8,260 on June 4. He pitched against the Rockies Double-A Affiliate, the Hartford Yard Goats, and looked good for his first official rehab.

Photo by Chris McCormack

Cole settled in after giving up a lead-off single, pitched 3 1/3 innings with five strikeouts, and threw 45 pitches. His pitch count is one of the most important factors for his return to the Yankee rotation. Cole threw 34 strikes without giving up a walk. His velocity peaked at 97 MPH, and after the game he said that his fastball felt good after his start.

Final Line: 3 1/3 IP | 2 H | 0 ER | 5 SO | 45 pitches, 34 strikes

https://X.com/DugoutStation/status/1799866618526535900

Cole postgame interview with media: "Definitely close. I'm not sure how many more rehab starts we will need , but definitely closer rather than farther away. It should be right around the corner here."

Cole's second rehab appearance with the Patriots on Sunday was against Yard Goats once again and he struck out three of his last four hitters and gave up one run. He pitched 4 2/3 innings with four strikeouts, and he threw 57 pitches, exceeding innings and pitches from his first outing. He will make his next rehab start with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in Rochester on Friday, per Aaron Boone. Boone is unsure if this will be Gerrit Cole's last rehab outing before returning to the Yankees from the injured list.

Final Line: 4 2/3 IP | 2 H | 1 ER | 4 SO | 0 BB | 1 HR | 57 pitches, 44 strikes

The Yankees' rotation has been solid since the start of the season. Carlos Rodon, Marcus Stroman, Nestor Cortes, Clarke Schmidt, and Luis Gil have been holding down the fort with a combined ERA of 2.78, second in the League behind the Phillies. Rhe Yankees record stands at 48-21 with a .696 winning percentage and is second in the league, also behind the Phillies. Once Gerrit Cole returns, they will have the best starting rotation in the league.

https://X.com/DugoutStation/status/1798133240395637179

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The Martian Update

The Yankees are continuing to build up Jasson Dominguez in the minors. He has already begun playing center field after DH'ing for about two weeks with Tampa Tarpons and Somerset Patriots.

His 20-day rehab assignment ended on June 4, and prior to Tuesday night's game, the Yankees returned Domínguez from his rehab assignment, reinstated him from the 60-day injured list and optioned him to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

The Yankees will keep Jasson in the minors and we will likely see him in the big leagues if any injury arises or a trade that will open room in the outfield to play by the end of the season in the Bronx.

With the Somerset Patriots, The Martian recorded four homer runs, .258 AVG, 4 HR, 7 RBI, 1 SB, .980 OPS across 31 at-bats:

https://twitter.com/DugoutStation/status/1797724520524198137

Jasson Dominguez has been an absolute monster in Triple-A with the Scranton RailRiders. He got moved up from Somerset on June 3, and in six games with RailRiders, he has two home runs, three RBI, and 11 hits in 25 at-bats (.440 AVG) and 1.240 OPS. Jasson has played five games and 37 innings in center field. He has rehabbed 20 days with Tarpons, Patriots, and RailRiders, generating six home runs, 13 RBI, 2 SB, 28 H, .368 AVG, 1.073 OPS, in his 76 at-bats. The Martian is ready for MLB. Unfortunately, the Yankees' top prospect might be stuck in Triple-A for a period.

"I feel good. Great to be back on the field playing a game with the boys."

RailRiders Manager, Shelley Duncan on Dominguez "he always brings energy to the team, his energy is contagious and to have him be apart of this group right now is a huge positive"

https://twitter.com/DugoutStation/status/1800984379516244191

Be sure to check out JerseySportingNews.com for updates on Cole and Dominguez.

Follow me on Twitter for more Patriots Coverage: @sandymilena JSN @JSNSPORTINGNEWS