Cole opted out of his contract with the Yankees on Saturday, Kiley McDaniel of ESPN.com reports.
The Yankees have the opportunity to void Cole's opt-out decision by adding an extra year and $36 million to his contract, which would cause him to be owed $180 million through 2029. The 34-year-old posted a 3.41 ERA and 1.13 WHIP across 95 innings this season after missing the first couple of months due to an elbow injury, so there is no guarantee that New York will want to keep him around for such a hefty price.
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Yankees' Gerrit Cole: Undone by sloppy fifth inning
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Cole took a no-decision Wednesday versus the Dodgers in Game 5 of the World Series, getting charged with five runs (zero earned) on four hits and four walks over 6.2 innings. He struck out six.
All five unearned runs came in the top of the fifth inning on two singles, a double, a walk and two errors. One of the singles was credited to Mookie Betts on what should have been an inning-ending groundout, but Cole failed to cover first base. The first Dodgers run scored on that play and four more followed before Cole finally escaped the frame. Cole settled back in after that and was in line for the win when he was pulled with one on and two out in the seventh, but the Dodgers tallied a couple runs in the eighth to go ahead for good. In five starts this postseason, Cole held a 2.17 ERA and 22:10 K:BB over 29 frames.
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Yankees' Gerrit Cole: Named Game 1 starter
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Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Monday that Cole will start Friday in Game 1 of the World Series, Laura Albanese of Newsday reports.
The Yankees wrapping up the ALCS in five games allowed them to set up their rotation as they wanted, and that means Cole taking the ball in Game 1. Boone added that Cole will likely be followed by Carlos Rodon, Clarke Schmidt and Luis Gil, in that order, although he has not yet etched that into stone. Cole holds a 3.31 ERA and 12:6 K:BB over 16.1 innings in three starts this postseason.
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Yankees' Gerrit Cole: Penciled in for Game 2
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Cole will start Game 2 of the ALCS on Tuesday, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.
The Yankees haven't announced a starter for Game 1 just yet, but Cole getting the nod to start Game 2 likely narrows the choices down to Carlos Rodon and Clarke Schmidt for Monday. Cole was dominant in his most recent outing, allowing just one run over seven innings en route to a win over the Royals on Thursday.
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Yankees' Gerrit Cole: Dominates Orioles for eighth win
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Cole (8-5) allowed two hits and one walk while striking out five over 6.2 scoreless innings to earn the win over the Orioles on Thursday.
Cole's last regular-season outing was one of his best, as it was one of three scoreless starts he produced this year. He threw 101 pitches (64 strikes), seeing a much higher workload than opposing starter Corbin Burnes (69 pitches). Cole will also get more time to recover, as this win secured the AL East title and a spot in the ALDS for the Yankees. Cole is now at a 3.41 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 99:29 K:BB over 95 innings across 17 starts this season. The right-hander's next start is likely to be Game 1 of the ALDS.
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Yankees' Gerrit Cole: Dominant versus Athletics
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Cole (7-5) allowed one run on two hits and a walk while striking out seven over nine innings to earn the win over the Athletics on Friday.
Cole didn't get a complete game, as the Yankees needed 10 innings to get past the A's in this one. It was the first time all year he's gone beyond six innings, and he threw 66 of his 99 pitches for starts in his third quality start over his last four outings. Cole is now at a 3.67 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 94:28 K:BB through 88.1 innings across 16 starts. He's tentatively projected to make his next start at home versus the Orioles, which would position Cole well to take the mound for Game 1 of the ALDS should the Yankees be able to maintain their four-game lead in the AL East over Baltimore.
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Yankees' Gerrit Cole: Melts down against Boston
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Cole (6-5) took the loss Saturday as the Yankees were downed 7-1 by the Red Sox, surrendering seven runs on five hits and three walks over 4.1 innings. He struck out two and hit three batters with pitches.
The veteran righty threw only 38 of 68 pitches for strikes before getting the hook, and things began to unravel for Cole after he intentionally walked long-time nemesis Rafael Devers with the bases empty in the fourth inning -- a move that the rest of the Boston lineup seemed to take personally. It's the first time since July 6 that Cole has failed to last at least five innings, a 10-start stretch in which he's posted a 2.34 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 66:16 K:BB through 57.2 innings. He'll look to bounce back in his next outing, which is scheduled to come on the road next weekend in Oakland.
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Yankees' Gerrit Cole: Dealt fourth loss
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Cole (6-4) allowed two unearned runs on three hits and a walk while striking out seven over six innings to take the loss Sunday versus the Cubs.
A rough first inning was enough to send Cole to the loss, as he gave up two hits and a walk, as well as a pair of fielder's choices, in that frame. Isaac Paredes had the big hit, a two-run single that the Cubs nursed all the way to the end. Cole didn't miss any time after exiting his previous start with a calf cramp. He's allowed one earned run or fewer in five of his last six starts, surrendering a total of seven runs (five earned) with 43:12 K:BB over 34.1 innings in that span. Cole now has a 3.36 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 85:24 K:BB through 75 innings over 14 starts this season. The right-hander's next start is projected to be at home versus the Red Sox.
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Yankees' Gerrit Cole: Cleared to start Sunday
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Cole (calf) is listed as the Yankees' scheduled starting pitcher for Sunday's game against the Cubs at Wrigley Field.
Cole departed his most recent start Monday against the Rangers with a right calf cramp, but the Yankees' ace looks like he'll be ready to take the hill on five days' rest. Even though the calf cramp knocked him out of the game after six innings, Cole still came away with his third win in his last four starts. Since the beginning of August, Cole has delivered a 1.85 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 40:11 K:BB across 34 innings.
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Yankees' Gerrit Cole: Leaves with calf cramp
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Cole exited Monday's start against the Rangers with a right calf cramp, Erik Boland of Newsday reports. He struck out nine and allowed one earned run on four hits and one walk over six innings and was in line for the win before leaving the game.
Cole came out for the seventh inning but exhibited discomfort during his warmup pitches. The Yankees pulled him from the game as a result, though he seems to have avoided anything serious. Even so, the team will monitor him closely for the next few days, which should help clarify his status for his next turn through the rotation, which is scheduled to come up Sunday in Chicago versus the Cubs or Monday at home versus the Royals.
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Yankees' Gerrit Cole: Exits with apparent calf issue
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Cole exited Monday's start against the Rangers due to an apparent calf injury, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.
Cole completed six innings and dominated the Rangers, tallying nine strikeouts while allowing only one earned run on four hits and a walk. He came back out for the seventh inning but suffered the injury during his warmup pitches. The severity and exact nature of the issue are unclear.
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Yankees' Gerrit Cole: Fans seven in loss
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Cole (5-3) took the loss Tuesday at Washington, allowing three runs on six hits and one walk over five innings. He struck out seven.
After posting back-to-back quality starts, Cole kept his recent run of decent form rolling in this 91-pitch outing. The New York ace entered the contest with a career-worst 3.3 K/9 but found his control, limiting the Nationals to just one free pass. Washington did pop two solo shots, ending a run of four consecutive appearances for Cole without allowing a homer. The right-hander currently lines up to make his next start against the Rangers on the road next week.
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Yankees' Gerrit Cole: Blanks Guardians for fifth win
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Cole (5-2) earned the win Thursday, allowing one hit while walking five over six scoreless frames against the Guardians. He struck out two.
Cole allowed a leadoff single to Steven Kwan that represented the only hit of the game for the Guardians. However, Cole battled his command all day, tossing just 55 strikes over 95 pitches while issuing a season-high five walks. He also matched a season high by completing six frames and collected his third quality start of the season. Cole entered the game having allowed just one run with 18 strikeouts in 11.1 innings over his last two appearances, so while the opportunity for more was available Thursday, he still leaves the outing with two wins, 20 strikeouts and a 0.52 ERA in his past three starts. He's next slated to take the hill when the Yankees travel to Washington to take on the Nationals.
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Yankees' Gerrit Cole: Blanks Tigers in win
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Cole (4-2) earned the win Friday over Detroit, allowing four hits and two walks over six scoreless innings. He struck out eight.
Cole looks to be rounding into form -- the right-hander's allowed just three runs in his last three starts (17 innings) while racking up 22 strikeouts in that span. He lowered his ERA to 4.15 through 52 innings this season with a 1.37 WHIP and 60:16 K:BB. He'll look to keep rolling in his next start, currently scheduled for next week at home against the Guardians.
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Yankees' Gerrit Cole: Racks up 10 Ks in no-decision
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Cole came away with a no-decision in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Rangers, allowing one run on six hits and two walks over 5.1 innings. He struck out 10.
The veteran right-hander generated a massive 26 swinging strikes on his 90 pitches as he recorded his first game of the season with double-digit strikeouts, but Cole left the mound with the score tied 1-1 and watched Luke Weaver immediately implode as his replacement. Cole has failed to last six innings in each of his last three outings, but the 33-year-old appears to be rounding into form after only making his season debut in mid-June -- he's given up two runs or less in four of his last five trips to the mound, posting a 3.45 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 33:6 K:BB through 28.2 innings over that stretch. He lines up to make his next start on the road next weekend in Detroit.
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Yankees' Gerrit Cole: Fans four in no-decision
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Cole did not factor into the decision in Sunday's win against the Blue Jays, allowing two earned runs on six hits and zero walks in 5.2 innings. He struck out four.
After being scratched from Tuesday's scheduled start due to general body fatigue, Cole threw 91 pitches Sunday, his lowest pitch total since July 6. Cole fared well with the added rest, allowing two earned runs after surrendering six his last time out. The 33-year-old is trending up, but he has yet to find his dominant form as he works his way back from an elbow injury. In eight starts, Cole has pitched to a 5.09 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 42:12 K:BB across 40.2 innings. He is tentatively scheduled for a home start against the Rangers next weekend.
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Yankees' Gerrit Cole: Will start Sunday
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Cole (fatigue) said that he's been cleared to start Sunday against the Blue Jays after his bullpen session Friday went well, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.
Cole was scratched from Tuesday's scheduled start against the Phillies due to general body fatigue, but he is set to return to the mound for Sunday's series finale. The right-hander has made seven starts since recovering from nerve irritation and edema in his right elbow, going 3-2 with a 5.40 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 38:12 K:BB across 35 innings.
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Yankees' Gerrit Cole: Throwing bullpen, may start Sunday
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Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Cole (fatigue) is throwing a bullpen session Friday and if all goes well should start Sunday against the Blue Jays, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.
The 33-year-old was scratched from Tuesday's start against the Phillies due to general body fatigue, but he played catch with no issues Wednesday and is returning to mound work Friday. The Yankees have consistently downplayed any long-term concern for Cole this week, and he should have the chance to rejoin the rotation Sunday after skipping just one start.
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Yankees' Gerrit Cole: On track to start this weekend
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Cole (fatigue) played catch without issue Wednesday and is slated to throw a bullpen session Friday, Meredith Marakovits of YES Network reports.
Assuming he comes out of the bullpen session with no concerns, Cole will make a start this weekend against the Blue Jays, likely Sunday. The veteran right-hander was scratched from a scheduled start Tuesday in Philadelphia due to general body fatigue, but the Yankees don't seem concerned that he's dealing with any sort of long-term issue.
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Yankees' Gerrit Cole: Hoping to start this weekend
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Cole (general fatigue) reiterated he's not dealing with an arm issue after being scratched from Tuesday's start against the Phillies, and he expects to pitch this weekend versus the Blue Jays, Jorge Castillo of ESPN.com reports.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Cole has also been battling a stomach bug this week, per Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News, so taking few extra days to rest should be beneficial. Cole's status over the next few days will be worth monitoring, but there doesn't appear to be any long-term concerns. Will Warren is making his MLB debut Tuesday for the Yankees.