Yankees ace Gerrit Cole out after testing positive for COVID-19

Talk about bad luck!

As they continue to inch closer to capturing the final wild card spot in the American League, the New York Yankees find out that their ace Gerrit Cole has tested positive for COVID-19. Therefore, he will be forced to miss his upcoming start against the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday night.

So far no other Yankees players have contracted the virus, but the timing of it couldn’t be worse.

“Definitely it’s tough. It’s been a tough year. We got this news with Cole and definitely a low blow there,” said Yankees catcher Gary Sánchez.

Nestor Cortes Jr. is expected to take his place in the starting rotation.

Cole, 30, is 10-6 with a 3.11 ERA and 0.99 WHIP in 21 starts and 130.1 innings pitched. He is in his second season with the franchise since signing a lucrative nine-year, $324 million contract in December 2019.

Yankees currently sit three games back of the Oakland Athletics for the final AL wild card spot.