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  • Set for bullpen session
    Cole (elbow) is expected to throw a bullpen session Saturday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

    Advice: Cole will throw off a mound for the first time since being placed on the 60-day injured list with nerve irritation and edema in his right elbow in late March. The 33-year-old is reportedly targeting a return in "mid June," according to Heyman. The right-hander is eligible to be activated from the IL on May 27, but it appears as if he will remain sidelined for awhile longer than that. With his pedigree, it comes as no surprise that the Yankees are being cautious with their ace, who produced a 2.63 ERA with a 9.6 K/9 over 209 innings in 33 starts last year. Rotowire.com Today, 5:57 pm
     
  • Report: Gerrit Cole targeting mid-June return
    The New York Post’s Jon Heyman reports Gerrit Cole (elbow) is now targeting a mid-June return.

    Advice: Heyman adds that Cole is scheduled to throw his first bullpen session on Saturday as he works his way back from nerve inflammation in his right elbow. The 33-year-old fantasy ace should progress to facing hitters in the coming weeks before heading out on a minor league rehab assignment. He was originally aiming for a late-May return, but it sounds like the Yankees don’t want to rush him back and risk a setback. Rotoworld Today, 5:42 pm
     
  • Max Scherzer targeting rehab outing next week
    Max Scherzer (back, thumb) is likely to make a minor league rehab start next week.

    Advice: Scherzer told reporters Thursday that his thumb is improving and he was able to resume playing catch without any issues. The hope is that he’ll be ready for a minor league outing at some point next week. Barring any further setbacks, he could return to Texas’ starting rotation mix by mid-May. Rotoworld Today, 3:39 pm
    Max ScherzerTEX - SP
    W, 6-0 vs WSH
    New Player Note
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  • Struggles in Baltimore
    Rodon (2-2) took the loss Thursday against the Orioles, allowing seven runs (six earned) on eight hits over four innings. He struck out six.

    Advice: After shutting out Baltimore through the first two innings, Rodon allowed three solo home runs between the third and fourth innings before the O's put up a four spot in the fifth, forcing the Yankees to turn to the bullpen. It's a deflating effort from Rodon, who'd allowed just one run over 13 innings in his previous two starts. His ERA is up to 3.68 on the season with a 1.28 WHIP and 36:14 K:BB in seven starts. Rodon will look to bounce back in his next outing, currently scheduled for next week against the Astros. Rotowire.com Today, 3:02 pm
     
  • Carlos Rodón struggles, allows three HRs in loss
    Carlos Rodón allowed seven runs — six earned — in four innings while picking up a loss Thursday to the Orioles.

    Advice: Rodón gave up three homers in the loss, and he also allowed eight hits. No walks and no strikeouts, but it’s tough to take much solace in those numbers because see above. The left-hander was excellent in his previous two starts, but the ever-so-tough Baltimore lineup was one he wasn’t up to the task against, at least that was the case for Thursday. He’ll have a chance to rebound next week against Houston. Rotoworld Today, 2:04 pm
     
  • Report: Paul Skenes starting Sunday at Triple-A
    MLP Pipeline’s Jonathan Mayo reports Paul Skenes will make his next start on Sunday for Triple-A Indianapolis.

    Advice: There was some social media buzz that Skenes could get the call this weekend to join Pittsburgh’s starting rotation, but that doesn’t appear to be in the cards. The 21-year-old top pitching prospect has reeled off six dominant outings at Triple-A Indianapolis to open the year, posting a surreal 0.39 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 41/6 K/BB ratio across 23 innings of work. It’s not going to be much longer, but it doesn’t appear that Skenes is coming up this weekend. Rotoworld Today, 1:46 pm
     
  • Braxton Garrett makes likely final rehab start
    Braxton Garrett (shoulder) fired five shutout innings on Wednesday in a minor league rehab start for Triple-A Jacksonville.

    Advice: Garrett finished with three strikeouts, built up his pitch count to 61 (33 strikes) and averaged 90.7 mph in his likely final tune-up before rejoining Miami’s starting rotation mix for his season debut. The 26-year-old hurler has been out since spring training due to a left shoulder impingement and a setback after experiencing a “dead arm” phase. He’ll likely take the ball on Monday against the Dodgers in his season debut, barring an unexpected development. Rotoworld Today, 1:03 pm
     
  • Five scoreless in rehab start
    Garrett (shoulder) allowed one hit and three walks while striking out three over five scoreless innings in a rehab start with Triple-A Jacksonville on Wednesday.

    Advice: Garrett got his pitch count up to 61 and averaged 90.7 miles per hour with his sinker, which is right in line with his normal velocity. Wednesday's outing should be his final tune-up before he returns from the 15-day injured list to make his season debut with the Marlins. Garrett, who has been sidelined with a left shoulder impingement and more recently went through a "dead arm" phase, tentatively lines up to start Monday versus the Dodgers on the road. Rotowire.com Today, 11:55 am
     
  • Making another Triple-A start
    Skenes' next start will come Sunday at Triple-A Indianapolis against Buffalo.

    Advice: Skenes got stretched out to six innings and 75 pitches in his last outing with Indianapolis on Tuesday, leading some to wonder whether his next start might come with the Pirates. However, he is set to remain with Indy for at least one more turn. Skenes has been utterly dominant against Triple-A hitters, posting a 0.39 ERA with 41 strikeouts over 23 innings. Fantasy managers shouldn't have to wait too much longer for the top prospect's major-league debut. Rotowire.com Today, 9:53 am