Yankees' Gerrit Cole shelled by Mets due to spotty command, worrisome velocity

Currently, there are 100 things wrong with the New York Yankees, from an impotent offense to a bullpen in shambles to Jahmai Jones in the DH spot. All of these piling-on faults have led to nightly dog walkings performed by the team's chief rivals for the vast majority of the past two weeks.

As of Tuesday night, fans can officially add the recently returned Gerrit Cole to the Fear List.

Cole's first start, a purposely abbreviated outing against the Orioles, looked like an ace getting his sea legs after months of elbow rehab; the Yankees lost, but the right-hander collected Ks and mostly kept one of the league's best offenses in check. His second start? Uh, not so much.

Cole maintained a 95 MPH fastball in the first inning, occasionally spiking to 98 or 99, but his command looked worse than Gleyber Torres with the bases loaded and no outs. He walked a handful, surrendering a two-out RBI single to Tyrone Taylor before Alex Verdugo's right arm bailed him out. Cole retired just one batter in the frame; JD Martinez, who topped into a double play.

When the righty returned for the second, he either opted out of chasing velocity to seek improved command, or something was dreadfully wrong with his heavy elbow. Whatever changed frame-over-frame, it didn't work; Cole was ambushed by both Mark Vientos and Harrison Bader, who slammed solo homers.

What was once electric had become pedestrian. The "heater" sat 93-94, occasionally reaching 95 and dipping all the way to 91 at its lowest moment.

Yankees ace Gerrit Cole struggles mightily vs. Mets with diminished velocity

The Yankees have paired their worst, most injury-plagued baseball with a stretch of their hottest opponents of the season. It would've been difficult to win series with the Red Sox at Fenway and the Orioles and Braves in the Bronx if the Yanks were playing with a full hand. Without Giancarlo Stanton, Jasson Dominguez, Aaron Judge (for a few O's games), and The Real Gleyber Torres, their chances of success only dimmed further.

Now, if Cole's going to be more problematic than a typical pitcher working their way back from injury, while previously reliable arms like Luis Gil and Carlos Rodón also slump, then this rough stretch could get even darker. Stay tuned for the postgame, when Cole's arm will undoubtedly be addressed.

The only positive? At least he completed 72 pitches and wasn't yanked early. Just ignore the six earned runs and four dingers.