New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole is progressing nicely through his throwing program and could embark on a major step next week.
Cole has been throwing bullpens for the better part of the last two weeks with his most recent session coming Saturday morning.
The Yankees ace told reporters following the bullpen that it's "certainly a possibility" he faces live hitters in batting practice early next week.
Cole isn't eligible to come off the injured list until May 27, and he'll need to face hitters in a rehab assignment before joining the active roster.
His target date for return appears to be in the middle of June, which should give him time to ramp up his throwing program.
The Yankees have been getting by well without the reigning Cy Young award winner. At 31-15, they own the best record in the American League and the second best in MLB.
The Yankees's 2.87 staff ERA is the best in baseball, and the starting rotation's 3.03 ERA is the second-best in the AL and third-best in MLB entering Saturday.