Gerrit Cole finds new way to boost Yankees during playoffs
The Yankees’ postseason journey this year comes with a storyline no one expected: their ace, Gerrit Cole, isn’t throwing a single pitch, but he’s still making an impact in a surprising way.
Cole, the reigning 2023 Cy Young winner, underwent Tommy John surgery earlier this year and hasn’t pitched all season. His recovery means he won’t be back on the mound until 2026 at the earliest. But instead of fading into the background, Cole has stepped into a completely different role. During the team’s workouts ahead of the Wild Card showdown with the Boston Red Sox, he’s been serving as a baserunner in drills.
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Yes, you heard that right—the Yankees’ $324 million ace, usually the man trusted with the ball in the biggest games, is now sprinting around the bases to sharpen his teammates’ defense. Fans and even reporters were caught off guard when video surfaced of Cole running in infield practice. But once the initial shock wore off, the meaning became clear. This wasn’t about spectacle—it was about leadership and commitment.
For Cole, there’s nothing personally to gain by filling this role. He won’t see his name in the box score for helping turn a double play in practice, and it won’t appear in his stat sheet years from now. But what it does show is that no job is too small when October arrives. By stepping in as a runner, he allows the Yankees’ infielders to prepare against live speed without risking injury to everyday starters. In effect, he’s raising the intensity of practice and keeping everyone sharp, while reminding the roster that the postseason is about details.
And those details matter more than ever. The Yankees are facing their bitter rivals, the Red Sox, in a best-of-three series. Every edge counts, and confidence is running high on both sides. The Yankees know their pitching staff has been reshaped this season, led by Max Fried and Carlos Rodón, but Cole’s absence leaves a hole that can’t truly be replaced on the mound. His presence, however, still carries weight. Younger pitchers lean on his advice. Position players see his willingness to contribute in any way possible, and that message resonates—winning in October requires everyone.
The Yankees’ clubhouse culture is being highlighted here. Cole’s decision to embrace a small, even unusual task reinforces that leadership isn’t always about throwing 99 miles per hour or striking out batters in the ninth inning. Sometimes it’s about showing teammates that every contribution matters, even the ones that happen when cameras aren’t rolling.
As the Yankees prepare to battle the Red Sox for the right to move deeper into the postseason, the spotlight will fall on Aaron Judge, Juan Soto, and the pitching rotation. But in the background, Cole is quietly shaping the tone of this run. He may not be pitching, but his role could still be remembered if the Yankees turn this October into something special.
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