Gerrit Cole expected to face live batters Tuesday in ‘important’ step

For the first time since early March, Gerrit Cole is expected to face hitters on Tuesday.

The Yankees’ ace will attempt to clear one more hurdle on his way back to health, a large step that typically precedes a minor league rehab assignment.

Aaron Boone said facing live hitters again will be “important.”

“That’s another step along the way of getting out there on the bump and facing hitters,” the Yankees manager said before a 5-4 loss to the Mariners in The Bronx on Monday. “I’m sure [there will be] a little bit of adrenaline that goes with that.”

Cole was shut down after just one spring training start, on March 1, with what was later determined to be nerve inflammation and edema in his right elbow.

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Cole didn’t pick up a baseball again until April and has been stretching out since, building up to a 40-pitch bullpen session on Saturday.

During that session, Oswaldo Cabrera and Jahmai Jones stood in the batter’s box without swinging.

Cole essentially pitched the equivalent of two innings and bounced back well, Boone said.

He likely will need to throw several live batting practices before beginning a minor league stint, but Tuesday will be another step toward what is projecting to be around a late June or early July debut.

“We just want to continue to progress and continue to stack good days,” Boone said.

Ian Hamilton, who was sent home before Sunday’s game because he was not feeling well, was placed on the seven-day COVID-19 injured list.

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In corresponding moves, the Yankees selected the contract of lefty Clayton Andrews from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and designated righty Colby White for assignment.

Andrews, a 5-foot-6 southpaw who came over in a February trade with the Brewers, held a 6.60 ERA in 15 innings with SWB.

The 27-year-old was on a grocery run on what was supposed to be an off day, got the call from RailRiders manager Shelley Duncan and never made it to the grocery store.

Andrews, who debuted last season with Milwaukee, made it to the park by Monday afternoon. He had never been to Yankee Stadium — or New York City — before.

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Aaron Judge (2-for-4 with a double and walk) extended his hitting streak to eight games and has reached base safely in a season-high 17 straight games.

Anthony Volpe (1-for-4 with a hit-by-pitch) extended his career-best hitting streak to 13 games.

Luke Weaver, who recorded the final two outs of the eighth inning, has gone 18 innings without allowing a run. His ERA is down to 2.20.

When DJ LeMahieu returns from an injury rehab assignment that is expected to last at least through Sunday, he will receive “the bulk” of the playing time at third base, Boone said.

Jon Berti and Cabrera have been sharing the time at the hot corner in a bit of a platoon, though Berti received his third straight start Monday and went 1-for-4 with an RBI single.

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