WATCH: Yankees' Gerrit Cole channels inner comedian with ultimate dad joke on Father's Day

While fans know Gerrit Cole primarily for his flamethrowing abilities, the Yankees ace is first, and foremost, a father. Recently, Cole showed off some of his trademark "dad humor" with a joke.

In a Father's Day message posted to the YES Network's official Instagram page, the defending AL Cy Young winner told joke. After asking why Melons have weddings, Gerrit Cole delivered the punchline "because they cantalope."

After marrying Amy Crawford, sister of St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Brandon in 2016, the pair welcomed their son, Caden Gerrit, in the summer of 2020. Known to be one of his dad's biggest fans, Caden has often been seen in the stands dawning his father's jersey at several of Gerrit Cole's starts.

Though he is still regarded as one of the top pitchers in baseball, Cole has not yet thrown a pitch for the New York Yankees this season. Pain felt by the 33-year-old was later confirmed to be elbow inflammation and edema, and he was subsequently placed on the 60-day IL on March 28, just days before his team began its 2024 season.

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Last Friday, Cole made his third rehab start with the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. Over the course of 4.1 innings, the former first overall Pittsburgh Pirates draft pick dominated, allowing one unearned run on two hits, and striking out 10.

As such, it looks as though Gerrit Cole's return to the Yankees lineup could be imminent, possibly by the end of the month. His team, for its part, has remained relatively tight-lipped on a possible return date for the star pitcher.

Yankees cautiously await Gerrit Cole's return

With 50 wins, the Yankees sit comfortably atop the MLB's overall standings, and starting pitching has played a crucial role in their success. With that said, the team is still being cautious about Cole's return, with skipper Aaron Boone telling Yahoo Sports about the star's recent Triple-A start:

"It’s going to be a different adrenaline level being there than when he first comes back with us. Making sure he gets through that, what’s tomorrow look like when he wakes up and gets moving. Those will be things we all talk through.”

During this period, Caden Cole has undoubtedly relished having his father around. However, the time will soon come for Gerrit to get back to an MLB mound, where he makes his living.