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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.
New York Yankees outfielder Juan Soto had a monster day on Saturday in the Yankees' 6-1 win over the Chicago White Sox. Soto blasted two home runs, both solo shots off White Sox starter Brad Keller, and tallied three RBI in the midst of going 4-4 with a walk. The lefty's big day raised his OPS to a team high .975, just a couple ticks above teammate Aaron Judge. After coming over in a trade from the San Diego Padres in the offseason, Soto is proving the trade package was worth the cost. The 25-year-old stated on Thursday that he would be open to contract talks with the Yankees during the season if they approached his agent Scott Boras. It would likely be a smart decision for the Yankees to do so. Soto will look to continue his MVP-caliber season on Sunday against scheduled White Sox starter Chris Flexen.
New York Yankees starting pitcher Luis Gil struck out 14 batters in six innings and picked up the win in the Yankees 6-1 win over the Chicago White Sox. The 14 strikeouts are a career high for Gil, who had struck out 16 batters in his last three starts combined. After giving up just one earned run, the righty lowered his ERA to 2.39 on the season and improved his record to 5-1. Gil has been a pleasant surprise for the Yankees this season, giving the Yankees a much needed boost in their rotation with Gerrit Cole being sidelined. Gil will look to continue his hot start with a great chance to rack up more strikeouts against the Seattle Mariners in his next scheduled start on Thursday.