Gerrit Cole injury: Yankees ace could face live batters next week

New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole is progressing nicely through his throwing program and could embark on a major step next week. Cole has been throwing bullpens for the better part of the last two weeks with his most recent session coming Saturday morning. The Yankees ace told reporters following the bullpen that it's "certainly a possibility" he faces live hitters in batting practice early next week. Cole isn't eligible to come off the injured list until May 27, and he'll need to face hitters in a rehab assignment before joining the active roster.