The long wait for Gerrit Cole is over. The Yankees are cautioning, though, that the wait for a full-strength Gerrit Cole continues. The reigning American League Cy Young award winner about 3 / months after his elbow set off a panic early in spring training. Gerrit Cole, who will be making his Yankees season debut on Wednesday, is all smiles during the Bombers 4-2 win over the Orioles on Tuesday night at the Stadium. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post After one Grapefruit League start, Cole was shut down and eventually diagnosed with nerve inflammation and edema, which crucially did not require surgery. He did not throw again for several weeks. Explore More He couldnt climb atop a mound again until May 5. His minor league rehab a signment did not begin until June 4, more than two months into the season. Coles long ramp back to the majors included three rehab starts, . The righty will be ready to throw about 80 pitches when he makes his long-awaited return and faces off with the second-place Orioles. Gerrit Cole (right) talks with Clarke Schmidt during the ninth inning of the Yankees win over the Orioles. Jason Szenes for the New York Post The main thing is you want to get him through it healthy, acting manager Brad Ausmus said before the in The Bronx on Tuesday. With Gerrit Cole, I think that the big picture is we want him the entire year, and this is another step in returning him to full Gerrit Cole, Cy Young form. See Dominique Wilkins Jersey Also Cole did not look rusty in his rehab, in which he allowed one earned run in 12 / innings while striking out 19. The Yankees did not need to rush the 33-year-old back sooner with a rotation that entered play with the best ERA (2.90) in the majors. Luis Gil won the fifth-starter job out of camp and has pitched like the ace he replaced. The goal for Wednesday, even more than winning, will be ensuring Cole makes it through the outing OK. Theres going to be watchful eyes on him because we certainly want Gerrit Cole for the entire season, Ausmus said. This is a great first step because we need him back in the rotation. Its good to have him here. If there is any kind of downside to the Yankees welcoming back arguably the best pitcher in baseball, Ausmus joked about losing e sentially another coach in the dugout during the days he starts. Cole has been around the club plenty, Gil recently referring to him as a profe sor. Go beyond the box score with the Bombers Sign up for Inside the Yankees by Greg Joyce, exclusively on Sports+. Thank you By clicking above you agree to the and . Enjoy this Post Sports+ exclusive newsletter! Were going to mi s his coaching abilities in the dugout, Ausmus said. Ausmus because Boone attended his son Brandon s high school graduation. Boone returned to the dugout mid-game and was driving to the Stadium, listening to the game on the radio, when Aaron Judge was hit. He wants to watch the graduation, be able to see his son after the graduation is over, take some pictures and then hell make his way back to the Stadium, said Ausmus, who has five years of managerial experience and who had filled in after Boones three ejections this season. Included in a busy day of transactions was shifting Clarke Schmidt to the 60-day injured list. Schmidt, sidelined with a right lat strain, is not eligible to return until July 26. Boone said the team is still waiting to learn the severity of top prospect Ja son Dominguezs oblique injury with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. After allowing nine stolen bases against the Red Sox on Sunday the most they had given up in over a century the Yankees limited Baltimore to one. The Yankees welcomed the recipients of the 2024 Yankees-Stonewall scholarships onto the field to watch batting practice and be featured in a pregame ceremony. The Yankees-Stonewall Scholarship Initiative awards $50,000 worth of scholarships to student leaders who have demonstrated academic achievement, a commitment to equality and impactful support for the LGBTQ+ community. Dennis Rodman Jersey