In a recent game in Cleveland, Cody Poteet made a successful return to the big leagues after almost 21 months away, delivering six strong innings of one-run ball in a win over the Guardians. Poteet had undergone Tommy John surgery in August 2022 and was called up from Triple-A to make a spot start. His performance proved his readiness to be back on the mound, as he struck out four, walked none, and only allowed a solo home run. Manager Aaron Boone praised Poteet’s outing and his ability to mix pitches effectively during the game.
Originally scheduled to start the game, Luis Gil was available out of the bullpen for the doubleheader but was not needed. The Yankees chose to call up Poteet to start the game, with Nestor Cortes set to start the following day. Gil will now start the series opener against the Blue Jays on Monday, followed by pitchers Carlos Rodon and Marcus Stroman. A series of roster moves were made between games of the doubleheader, including Jon Berti going on the IL and the selection of infielder Kevin Smith from Triple-A to replace him.
Gerrit Cole, who has been dealing with elbow nerve inflammation, played catch for a second time in The Bronx, with plans to throw again over the weekend. Tommy Kahnle, recovering from shoulder issues, had a successful bullpen session in Tampa. In other news, top prospect Spencer Jones made his season debut at Double-A Somerset after initially missing time due to a stiff neck. The Yankees made a flurry of roster moves to address various injuries and call-ups during the doubleheader games.
Poteet, signed by the Yankees in January to boost their starting pitching depth, had shown promise during spring training before starting the season in Triple-A. He received the call-up to start the nightcap of the doubleheader and arrived in Cleveland excited and nervous for the opportunity. Poteet expressed his belief in himself as a major league starting pitcher and made the most of his outing with a strong performance on the mound. His successful return to the big leagues is a step forward for the rest of the season.
Despite not seeing action in the doubleheader, Gil will start the series opener against the Blue Jays on Monday, following the restructured pitching rotation due to the doubleheader and other injuries. The Yankees made multiple roster moves between games, including the selection of Kevin Smith and the placement of Jon Berti on the IL. The team is actively managing various injuries, with updates on the progress of Cole, Kahnle, and other players. The return of top prospect Spencer Jones to Double-A after an injury delay adds further depth to the organization’s talent pool.
