Yankees' Gerrit Cole to Face Hitters on Tuesday Amid Elbow Injury Rehab

New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole will face hitters on Tuesday for the first time since being placed on the injured list, per YES Network's Meredith Marakovits.

Cole has yet to step on the mound for the Yankees this season amid recovery from an elbow injury sustained in March. The reigning Cy Young Award winner was placed on the injured list on Opening Day.

Cole threw off the mound for the first time in March just a few weeks ago, throwing 15 pitches and averaging 89 mph on his fastball, though it wasn't his max effort at the time, per The Athletic's Chris Kirschner.

As of early May, Cole was targeting a mid-June return from the injury. He has completed several steps in the rehab process, throwing on flat ground, then on the mound, and facing live batters will be another milestone checked off as he looks to return to action.

Though the Yankees have been without their ace, they have managed well in the early part of the season. New York is currently 33-15 and sits in the top spot in the AL East. The Yankees are currently on a seven-game win streak.

With the addition of Marcus Stroman and Nestor Cortes, Carlos Rodoon and the rest of the lineup hitting their stride, the Yankees have the top team ERA in the majors at 2.81.