Gerrit Cole launched his first live-action bout this spring and had Gary Sanchez behind him on the plate.
One of the plots this spring – and beyond – will be that the Yankees team with their ace after Cole has had much more success throwing at Kyle Higashioka than at Sanchez.
Maybe complicating matters is the arrival of Robinson Chirinos, which is in place on a minor law agreement. He took 16 of Cole’s starts in Houston in 2019 and Cole announced his relationship with Chirinos last week.
“In 2019, we may be on the same page,” Chirinos said. “Gerrit is a tough guy to catch. He likes to talk. It was a challenge. ”
In those 16 starts two years ago, Cole had a 2.46 ERA. He also worked with Martin Maldonado and in those 10 outings, he had an ERA 1.57.
Cole, in his first season with the Yankees, struggled at times with Sanchez in the game. Over eight starts, Cole had an ERA 3.91, which led to a change at the end of the year, with Higashioka taking over as Cole’s personal catcher. In those seven starts – including the postseason – Cole finished with an ERA 1.79.
And while the Yankees look back on Sanchez and Higashioka, Chirinos said he doesn’t plan to start the season in the minors.
“It’s not where I have my mind right now,” Chirinos said. “I know these guys are really good and have been here for a long time. I came this spring to show that they are in good health, let alone [the Yankees] choose and make a decision “.
Chirinos is also rooted for Sanchez to reprimand him.
“It works great,” Chirinos said. “It’s the only thing you ask for as a teammate. We hope he turns around and leaves the bad years in the past. It’s a huge key for this team.”
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