Cole, on extra rest, looks to stay dominant against Tigers

With the Yankees amid a stretch of 16 consecutive games without an off day, a streak that runs until July 2, the club decided to have top pitching prospect Elmer Rodríguez make a spot start Sunday, giving each member of the rotation an extra day to rest and refresh.

That includes ace Gerrit Cole, who has pitched in five games since making his return from Tommy John surgery. Cole (2-1, 2.57 ERA) was scheduled to throw Sunday against the Reds, and he’ll instead toe the rubber Monday as New York kicks off a three-game set against the Tigers in Detroit.

First pitch is scheduled for 6:10 p.m. ET at Comerica Park. There’s a marquee matchup in store, with Cole facing off against Tigers veteran lefty Framber Valdez (3-5, 4.09 ERA).

Importantly, Cole has seemed healthy through his first stretch of action this season. The 35-year-old righty has thrown at least 72 pitches in every start, running all the way up to 90 in his latest appearance.

He’s also shown flashes of his former Cy Young-winning form in this small sample. Cole’s four-seam fastball is averaging 96.7 mph and touching 98.5, while he’s limiting hard contact at a clip that would tie his career best (31% hard-hit rate).

“I’m good. I was ready to go [Sunday],” Cole said. “Any pitcher, if you’re on a roll, just keep feeding me – you know what I mean? But there are different factors that contribute to when you get to do that. It’s really not that big of a deal.”

Cole began his 2026 campaign with back-to-back scoreless starts, including a dominant 10-strikeout performance against the Royals on May 27. He followed that with shakier looks against the Guardians, allowing six earned runs, 11 hits and three home runs allowed in two starts.

But Cole bounced right back against the White Sox his last time out, going six strong innings of two-run ball with six strikeouts.

We’ll see what he has in store next on Monday, as Cole has been simply dominant against the Tigers since joining the Yankees in 2020. Cole owns a 1.84 ERA in 14 career starts against Detroit, his best against any club.

Furthermore, in seven starts since joining the Yankees in 2020, he has a sparkling 1.40 ERA, allowing just six earned runs in 38 2/3 innings. He’s also struck out a whopping 51 batters in that time while walking just 10.