Yankees’ Gerrit Cole Suffers Worst Start of His Career vs Mets

When the New York Yankees welcomed Gerrit Cole back into their starting rotation on June 19, it appeared to be a case of the rich getting richer.

Cole, the reigning American League Cy Young award winner, would be joining a rotation that ranked as the best in baseball by earned run average and wins, and a powerful lineup that provided an enviable margin for error.

The lineup is still there, but some of the luster has faded from the Yankees’ rotation — and from Cole. Tuesday, in his second start of the 2024 season against the New York Mets, Cole suffered the worst start of his 12-year major league career.

Cole’s first start after returning from a season-long elbow injury went well enough. Pitching at home against the Baltimore Orioles on June 19, he allowed two runs in four innings, striking out five.

Tuesday, the velocity on all of Cole’s pitches was down compared to his previous start. His slider, which averaged 89 mph against the Orioles, was down a full two ticks. The result was predictable. He allowed seven hits and six runs in four innings, walking four batters and striking out none.

The Mets jumped out to a 6-0 lead against Cole before the Yankees were able to put a run on the board. They hit four home runs: two by Mark Vientos, a solo shot by Harrison Bader, and a two-run blast by Brandon Nimmo in the fourth inning.

Cole failed to strike out a batter for only the second time in his career.

Cole’s final line would be alarming in any context. Against the backdrop of a season that had only just begun for the 33-year-old right-hander, and was almost derailed entirely because of an elbow injury he suffered in spring training, the Yankees are likely to proceed cautiously with their $324 million pitcher.

Cole made three minor league rehab starts after recovering from nerve inflammation and edema in his right elbow that had sidelined him since March.

Cole was still far from his best in the minors, but his debut last week against the Orioles — the second-place team in the American League East — offered encouragement that better things were in store.

Cole’s start against the Mets, who only recently joined the National League Wild Card race with a 13-4 run entering Tuesday’s game, represented a step backwards. It was the first time this season any pitcher had allowed four home runs and four walks in four innings or fewer.

At least Cole can take solace in joining elite company. The last Yankees pitcher to allow four home runs and four walks in the same game? Roger Clemens in 2003.