Yankees ace Gerrit Kool says he is perfectly healthy and there is no reason to doubt him.

But when manager Aaron Boone removed Cole after 88 pitches in Game 1 of the World Series, and it became clear through sources after Game 2 that the Yanks would not have Cole available to start or relieve during a short rest. I wondered if Cole would continue to pitch with some sort of physical problem. After all, he didn’t make his season debut until June 19 after suffering an elbow injury during spring training.

But a very reliable source has debunked this theory.

“No,” the source emphasizes. ‘There’s nothing. He’s doing well.’

Additionally, one Yankees person noted that the early hook in LA didn’t come until after Boone made a mound visit; the manager had not sent a signal to the bullpen as he walked to Cole. Boone carefully read his ace’s body language and tone and could tell Cole felt like he was done for the night. In other words, Cole wasn’t on a short leash in the game.

The Yanks’ decision not to throw Cole in Game 4 stemmed from the need to have Cole at full strength to continue the season. The best way to accomplish that, the Yankees concluded, was to pitch Luis Gil in Game 4 and a reassured Cole in Game 5. So far, half of that plan has worked.

Cole had pitched just once on short rest in his MLB career, in the 2020 playoffs.

“I feel great right now,” Cole said Tuesday afternoon. “I’m available whenever the team wants me to pitch. There is nothing stopping me from pitching if the team wants me to pitch.”

And the pen?

The Yankees’ five-run eighth inning in Game 4 was crucial in keeping two key relievers for another elimination game on Wednesday. If the Yankees lead had been 7-4, Boone would have ejected Lucas Weaver back out for a third “up,” or inning in the ninth.

The manager said after Game 1 that his only possible regret was not starting Weaver in the 10th, which would have been his third lead. Boone wouldn’t have wanted to lose Weaver a few days later.

He was willing to make the adjustment and stick with Weaver in Game 4, but after the Yankees increased their lead, he told Tommy Kahnle to start throwing. When the foul continued, Kahnle sat down and Tim Mayza closed the game.

Weaver has pitched two days in a row and had two ups on Tuesday. But Boone told SNY that “he’ll be good tomorrow.”

And what about Cortés?

Finally the Yankees and Nestor Cortes worked to determine how many days he should be absent after a performance. Cortes throws with a flexor strain. He contributed 1.2 innings in Game 3 and was unavailable in Game 4, he told SNY.

As for game 5?

“I think so,” said Cortes. ‘I’m a little sore, but it’s a good pain. It will be a conversation for me and Boonie tomorrow.”