Yankees’ ace Gerrit Cole left Tuesday night’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays after experiencing hamstring tightness in the 4th inning. After giving up the second sacrifice fly of the inning, Cole motioned to the Yankee dugout, prompting Manager Aaron Boone and the athletic trainer to walk over to the pitcher’s mound. After a brief conversation with the infield, Cole walked off the field with his team down 3-1 as 30,000-plus Yankee fans looked on with concern.
Cole’s injury could not have come at a worse time. The Yanks have now lost two out of their last ten games and are clinging on to their AL Wild Card lead. The injury is a definite disappointment given that Cole had been performing at a Cy Young level throughout the course of the season. The four-time All-Star currently leads the AL in wins, strikeouts and WHIP.
With the Yankees looking to secure a playoff berth, Cole’s absence will hopefully be a temporary one.
