Gerrit Cole aces another step toward his return to the Yankees' rotation

NEW YORK – Gerrit Cole arrived at the mound Tuesday afternoon in a full pinstriped uniform, ready for his version of Opening Day at Yankee Stadium.

The Yankees’ ace also had an audience in the otherwise empty ballpark, with several teammates gathered in the home dugout for a 20-pitch session against live batters.

“It means a lot,’’ said Cole, after facing hitters for the first time since being diagnosed in spring training with right elbow nerve irritation.

That familiar adrenaline was present, and Cole said he “had to dial the fastball back’’ while pitching to Jahmai Jones and Oswaldo Cabrera, batting lefty.

“I hit 96 (mph) a couple of times and Matt yelled at me,’’ Cole said of pitching coach Matt Blake, calling it “a good sign’’ of where he’s at physically.

Asked if he might be able to return sometime in June, Cole said he “wouldn’t rule it out,’’ though he’ll require one or two more live batting practice sessions before starting a minor league rehab assignment.

Based on that schedule, if all goes well, Cole could conceivably return to the Yankees’ rotation as early as the June 25-26 series against the Mets at Citi Field.

“I guess it’s possible,’’ said Yankees manager Aaron Boone of a late June return for Cole, but “I don’t want to get ahead of ourselves.’’

Yankees' rotation thriving in Gerrit Cole's absence

A patient approach with the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner would be in play no matter where the Yankees were in the standings.

But it’s helpful that there’s not currently a desperate need for a frontline starter in the Bronx, where the AL East-leading Yankees owned the league’s best record entering Tuesday.

“I mean, I’m still on the team – I feel just as good as everybody else feels about it,’’ Cole said of the rotation’s 7-0 record and 0.86 ERA in their previous eight starts.

“They’re doing great,’’ said Cole. “If they were really struggling, it would be a challenge…not (to) try and feel like you need to rush it back.’’

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The quintet of Marcus Stroman (3-2, 3.05), Carlos Rodon (5-2, 3.27), Luis Gil (5-1, 2.39), Clarke Schmidt (5-1, 2.49) and Nestor Cortes (2-4, 3.56 entering Tuesday) have not missed a turn, while posting the league’s second-best ERA at 2.95.

Gerrit Cole pleased with his recovery between outings

Back in the Yankees’ clubhouse after his workout, Cole was still in his full pinstriped uniform, dabbing sweat as he spoke.

“I feel really happy I was able to put it on today,’’ said Cole, equally pleased with his stuff Tuesday, throwing 11 fastballs, three changeups, two sliders, two cutters and two curveballs.

“Worked the fastball up and down well and the spin was pretty good,’’ said Cole, who’s last session against live batters was March 7, in a simulated spring training game before he was shut down.

“I wasn’t intending to throw 96,’’ said Cole. The plan is “to make sure we’re building at the appropriate increments,’’ increasing velocity slightly with each outing.

So far, the elbow has responded and Cole has no physical concerns.

“It’s mainly that it’s been able to feel refreshed by the next time I get back on the mound,’’ said Cole, who will throw again this weekend, possibly at the Yankees’ complex at Tampa, Fla.

“I thought he was sharp,’’ Boone said of Tuesdays’ session. “That’s a big step, right? To me he looked very much in control, with easy velocity too.’’

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In other Yankees injury news, reliever Tommy Kahnle (shoulder discomfort) was set to be activated Wednesday, putting right-hander Michael Tonkin’s roster spot in jeopardy.

DJ LeMahieu (fractured right foot) was due to continue his rehab assignment Tuesday at Class A Hudson Valley, with the Yankees targeting his return next Tuesday at Anaheim.

Jones or Cabrera, the hitters who faced Cole, could be impacted by LeMahieu’s return and Boone didn’t indicate how he’d handle the leadoff spot, where Anthony Volpe was currently riding a 13-game hitting streak.

Coming off two abbreviated seasons due to Tommy John surgery rehab, would Gil - who hasn’t thrown more than 96 innings in one pro season – be sent to the bullpen to accommodate Cole?

That’s a while off.

For now, the Yankees were just glad to see Cole back on the Stadium mound, even for a BP session.

The dugout attendance of Cole’s teammates was “not surprising’’ to Boone, “considering there was a little anticipation about that one.’’

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Gerrit Cole injury updates: Yankees ace faces live batters