Gerrit Cole: Everything you need to know

Cole did not factor into the decision Tuesday against Cleveland, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks while striking out four across four innings. Cole was clean through the first two innings before a messy third frame changed the mood of his outing. The right-hander allowed five consecutive baserunners, leading to both runs he surrendered, and he lasted just one more inning before being lifted at 83 pitches. The lack of strikeouts was notable, as Cole has now recorded fewer than five punchouts in three of his four starts since returning from the injured list. Still, Cole owns a 2.45 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 18:6 K:BB across 22 innings. The Yankees continue to manage his workload as he builds back up, but he'll look to turn in a more complete outing when he faces the White Sox at home in his next scheduled start.

Cole (1-1) took the loss Wednesday against the Guardians, allowing four runs on six hits and one walk in 5.1 innings. He struck out two. Following a pair of scoreless starts to begin his campaign, Cole stumbled quite a bit Wednesday. The 35-year-old right-hander served up three home runs in what also his shortest start of the year so far, but it was at least somewhat encouraging to see him reach the 80-pitch marker for the first time since coming off the injured list. Cole still has a strong 2.00 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 14:4 K:BB over 18 innings, and he's set for another crack at the Guardians in Cleveland his next time out.

Cole (1-0) scattered four hits and struck out 10 without walking a batter over 6.2 shutout innings to earn the win over the Royals on Wednesday. This was Cole's second start since his return from Tommy John surgery. The right-hander has had limits on his workload over his first two starts this year, but it's hardly noticeable with how efficient he's been so far. Cole threw 59 of 79 pitches for strikes Wednesday and has logged 12.2 scoreless frames with a 12:3 K:BB over his first two starts. Cole should push into the 80-to-90-pitch range for his next outing, which is tentatively projected to come at home versus the Guardians next week.