Yankees ace Gerrit Cole set for Monday r

The continue to make up ground in the American League playoff chase, and now they'll soon be getting their ace back. Manager Aaron Boone on Sunday Frank Jackson Jersey that right-hander , who's been on the COVID list after testing positiveand hasn't made a start since July 29, will return to take the mound Monday against the .Cole in his age-30 season has pitched to a 3.11 ERA with an AL-leading 6.29 K/BB ratio acro s 130 1/3 innings and 21 starts. Despite the mi sed time, he still leads the AL in strikeouts with 176. Those outputs are right line with expectations for Cole, who's been one of the top starting pitchers in all of baseball over the last four seasons.Cole returns to a Yankees team that has surged back into contention with an 18-9 mark Steven Adams Jersey in the second half and a 9-4 record in August. They enter play Sunday trailing the rival by 2 1/2 games for the second AL wild card spot. The A's, owners of top wild card position at Josh Hart Jersey the moment, are just 3 1/2 games ahead of New York. As for the AL East-leading , they're 6 1/2 up on the Yankees at this writing. The Yankees remain relevant despite having used 14 different starting pitchers in 2021. The return of Cole promises them some much needed excellence and Stanley Johnson Jersey stability at the front end. Even after Cole's return, the Yankees will still have a bevy of players -- many of them core contributors -- on the COVID IL. One of those, marquee deadline acquisition , seems to be making progre s toward a return: Anthony Rizzo is due to go through his cardiac testing and could join the Yankees tomorrow to work out, Aaron Boone says. Lindsey Adler (@lindseyadler) The 32-year-old first baseman has batted .281/.400/.563 with three New Orleans Pelicans Hoodie home runs in nine games for the Yankees since they acquired him from the on July 29. Catcher and starter are among the other Yankees on the COVID list at the moment. The Yankees on Tuesday begin a crucial three-game home series against the Red Sox.