#Universal DH would put Gerrit Cole in trivia books

The Yankees’ new ace could become the last starting pitcher to bat in a game, pre-universal designated hitter rule.

With the DH being added to the National League as part of MLB’s proposal to start the season in the midst of the novel coronavirus pandemic, the days of pitchers hitting could be over. Cole struck out in the seventh inning of Game 5 of the World Series as a member of the Astros, a nondescript at-bat that might become history.

If the new rule is implemented, it would likely mean the end of pitchers hitting in anything other than an emergency. As The Post’s Joel Sherman reported, MLB is proposing the DH being added to the National League for this year and next year, and all indications are that would be included in the next Collective Bargaining Agreement, which will need to be negotiated after the 2021 season. The final Mets pitcher to take an at-bat could be Noah Syndergaard, who struck out in the fourth inning of a 7-6, 11-inning win over the Braves on Sept. 29 at Citi Field.