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New York Yankees closer Clay Holmes blew his first save of the season and picked up the loss Monday night, allowing four runs and two walks in 2/3 of an inning pitched against the Seattle Mariners. Those four runs were the first runs allowed on the season for Holmes, who has been nothing short of spectacular in 2024. Monday's implosion ballooned his 2024 ERA from 0.00 to 1.74. It was, without a doubt, the worst appearance of the year for Holmes, who allowed five straight batters to reach base after inheriting a generous three-run lead. It will take much more than one blown save for Holmes' job to be in jeopardy. Despite blowing his first of the year, fantasy managers can continue to start Holmes in all leagues.
New York Yankees right-hander Gerrit Cole (elbow), who played catch on Monday, is scheduled to face live hitters on Tuesday for the first time in his rehab process. Cole is finally moving to facing live hitters after throwing off a mound for the last couple of weeks as he tries to return from nerve irritation and edema in his right elbow. The 33-year-old hasn't pitched in a game since early in spring training in March and still has plenty of boxes to check off, but fantasy managers may finally be starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. The reigning American League Cy Young winner will eventually have to go on a minor-league rehab assignment, but if he doesn't suffer any setbacks along the way, he could make his 2024 debut before the All-Star break in the middle of July.
New York Yankees reliever Tommy Kahnle (shoulder) could return to the majors on Wednesday, according to manager Aaron Boone. Kahnle made multiple relief appearances with Double-A Somerset over the weekend and did not allow a run in any outing. The 34-year-old has been sidelined since last season with shoulder inflammation, but he is finally nearing a return. Kahnle has been an effective bullpen piece throughout his career as evidenced by his 2.66 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 48:19 K:BB across 42 games last season. He is a decent option for managers in leagues that track holds as a scoring category.
New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole (elbow) threw a bullpen session on Saturday, and his fastball was clocking in at the low 90s. Yankees pitching coach Matt Blake said that Cole is "one notch ahead of your typical spring training progression." This means that the reigning AL Cy Young winner has a chance to face live hitters sometime next week. However, the 33-year-old is still several weeks away from a return, which could be somewhere around the mid-June or early July timetable. Cole should be rostered in all formats and will be inserted at the top of the Yankees rotation when he returns. This will likely send either Luis Gill or Clarke Schmidt to the bullpen if the Yankees opt to continue with a five-man starting rotation. However, both pitchers have performed quite well with a 2.39 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, and 2.49 ERA,1.13 WHIP, respectively, and could push the Yankees into having a six-man rotation.
New York Yankees designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton crushed a solo shot and went 2-3 with two RBI and a walk in the Yankees 6-1 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Saturday afternoon. The 382-foot shot was Stanton's 11th HR of the season. Stanton was lackluster, by his standards, during April but has heated up in May, hitting for an .871 OPS during the month with five HR. The slugger now has a HR in three of his last four games and is one of three Yankees who have hit 11 or more HR on the season (Judge, Soto, Stanton). The 34-year-old will look to continue his hot month on Sunday when he faces off against White Sox scheduled starter Chris Flexen.