Gerrit Cole will not start Game 4 of the World Series for the Yankees on Tuesday.
Aaron Boone made that clear before Game 3 on Monday. While the possibility of the Yankees playing in an elimination game on Tuesday existed at that point, the manager said there was no scenario in which the ace would start on three days’ rest.
Boone added that Luis Gil will definitely start Game 4 against the Dodgers. He also said that the team didn’t discuss the possibility of Cole starting very much.
“That is not something I want to do with Gerrit this year with what he’s been through,” Boone said, alluding to Cole’s spring training injury, a case of shoulder inflammation.
Cole has started on three days’ rest once before, in Game 5 of the 2020 ALDS. He threw 5.1 innings while totaling one run and nine strikeouts against the Rays.
It’s not that unusual that Cole won’t go on three days’ rest again, even if you don’t factor in his previous injury.
However, the Yankees not considering the possibility much comes on the heels of Cole only throwing 88 pitches over six innings in Game 1 of the World Series. Boone was criticized for pulling the starter after allowing a single to start the seventh inning, as he had surrendered just one run.
“Cole was done,” Boone repeatedly said before Game 2.
Asked why Cole was done, Boone replied, “You’ll just have to take my word for it.”
The manager added that Cole is healthy.
Cole has a 2.82 ERA over four starts this October. He has not cracked 90 pitches in an outing this postseason.
RODÒN’S BLISTER
Carlos Rodón dealt with a blister in his Game 2 start in Los Angeles, but Boone didn’t expect the issue to impact the lefty’s potential availability moving forward.
“The trainers and Carlos felt like it was manageable,” Boone said, adding that the club will pay attention to the blister.
