New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole is inching closer to a return from the injured list.
After making two rehab appearances in Double-A with the Somerset Patriots, Cole will make his next rehab start in Triple-A with the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Railriders.
Cole's next start will come Friday, June 14, and has a target pitch count of roughly 65-70 pitches.
Cole has made two rehab appearances thus far. The reigning Cy Young Award winner tossed 3.1 innings of scoreless ball on 45 pitches during his first rehab outing.
In his second outing against the Hartford Yard Goats, Cole tossed 4.2 innings pitched allowing two hits, one run, no walks and four strikeouts on 57 pitches (44 strikes).
It's unclear how many more rehab starts Cole will need before he returns. Working him up to 70 pitches means he's getting close, but they also might consider extending his rehab assignment given that the Yankees have the best record in baseball entering Friday.
Either way, the Yankees ace is inching closer to his return to MLB.
For more Yankees coverage, check out Kevin Hickey's work on Sporting News.
