One New York Ace Suffers Setback While Another Takes Big Step Toward Return

Two injured New York pitchers are going in very different directions.

New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole, the reigning American League Cy Young award winner, took a big step in his recovery from an elbow injury on Tuesday in the Bronx.

New York Mets ace Kodai Senga, however, a 2023 All-Star and reigning finalist for the National League Rookie of the Year award, suffered a setback in his recovery over in Queens.

Senga, 31, hasn’t pitched at all this season and is currently on the 60-day injured list with a right shoulder capsule strain. Senga suffered the injury in spring training, and has been slowly working his way back.

However, this week, he suffered a setback in his recovery in the form of a new reported injury. Senga had a bullpen session scheduled for Sunday, but didn’t throw it due to triceps tightness.

Senga was able to play a “light catch” on Tuesday, according to Mets manager Carlos Mendoza.

On the other side of town, things were much better when Cole took the mound at Yankee Stadium for the first time since last season.

Cole, dressed from head to toe in his Yankees uniform, threw a 20-pitch live batting practice session for the first time as he recovers from elbow inflammation that flared up during spring training. He even hit 96 mph.

Why did Cole wear his full Yankees uniform on Tuesday?

“Because I miss it,” he told reporters.

Cole and the Yankees have been careful in not giving an exact return timeline, but there have been reports that he could be back sometime in June.

Does Cole think a June return is in the cards?

“I wouldn’t rule it out,” he said.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone was similarly cautious but optimistic in providing a return timeline for his six-time All-Star.

“I guess it’s possible,” Boone said. “I don’t want to get ahead of ourselves in this and start predicting.”

He added: “Things are going well.”

The two pitchers’ opposite directions also sums up the season for the two teams in New York.

The Yankees entered Tuesday’s game against the Seattle Mariners at 33-16, firmly in first place in the American League East. They also have the best record in the entire AL.

On the flip side, the Mets entered Tuesday’s game against the Cleveland Guardians at 21-26, losers of eight of their last 11 games.

The Yankees lead all of Major League Baseball with a 2.86 ERA entering Tuesday. The Mets rank14th with a 3.95 ERA.