Yankees Notebook: Gerrit Cole nearing rehab assignment, Kyle Higashioka saw trade coming

Gerrit Cole took another step in his recovery from elbow inflammation on Saturday, facing live hitters for the second time. Cole threw a two-inning simulated game against minor league hitters at the Yankees' complex in Tampa. “Sounds like everything went well,” Aaron Boone said before the Yankees' game against the Padres. “I haven't talked to Gerrit himself yet, but the reports are that everything went well.”