Yankees’ Cole Nears Lands: Ace’s Third Bullpen Session Signals Progress as Dominguez Prepares for Minor League Rehab
New York Yankees standout pitcher Gerrit Cole completed his third bullpen session on Saturday, throwing 29 pitches, including curveballs. This marked a significant step forward since his elbow injury during spring training. Cole noted that he threw 13 curveballs and reached 89 mph with his fastball, expressing satisfaction with the session’s outcome.
“The fastball profiles were good,” Cole stated. “Location was good. Velocity was where we wanted. A lot of strikes.”
While uncertain about the exact number of future mound sessions before facing hitters, Cole mentioned plans to simulate two innings in upcoming sessions.
In other updates, Yankees manager Aaron Boone revealed that outfielder Jasson Domínguez would serve as the designated hitter for Single-A Tampa over the next two weeks, starting either Tuesday or Wednesday. Domínguez, who showed promise last September before sustaining a right elbow injury requiring Tommy John surgery, is poised for a comeback.
Additionally, infielder DJ LeMahieu, recovering from a right foot injury, engaged in live batting practice against injured right-hander JT Brubaker at the Yankees’ Tampa complex. Boone indicated that LeMahieu would continue facing pitching on Tuesday, edging closer to a rehab assignment.
Reliever Tommy Kahnle, who has been sidelined with a shoulder injury, demonstrated progress by striking out one batter during a flawless inning in his second outing with Single-A Tampa. He is slated to join Double-A Somerset on Tuesday for further rehabilitation.
