Gerrit Cole stepped back onto a game mound Wednesday for the first time in 377 days and delivered a scoreless inning for the New York Yankees in an exhibition matchup against the Boston Red Sox . The outing marked his long‑awaited return from Tommy John surgery performed last March, and while the command wasn’t where he wanted it, the velocity and competitiveness were unmistakable.
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Cole threw 10 pitches, seven for strikes, leaning heavily on his four‑seam fastball. The heater averaged 97.1 mph and touched 98.7, a strong early sign for the Yankees’ ace. He mixed in sliders and knuckle‑curves, though he admitted afterward that his feel wasn’t sharp. “It was not great today. Not objectively,” Cole said on the YES Network broadcast. “It has been really good recently but probably today was the worst it’s been.”
Navigating Traffic and Showing His New Mechanics
Cole faced immediate pressure when Boston’s Braiden Ward dropped a bunt single on the first pitch of the game. Ward stole second, but Cole settled in, getting a flyout, a caught stealing, and a groundout to end the inning. He also unveiled a modified windup, raising his hands over his head to help with rhythm and timing. Manager Aaron Boone said Cole likes the adjustment for now but may revert to his traditional delivery later in the season .
The Yankees have eased Cole back carefully. He threw his first bullpen on February 13, faced hitters a week later, and now has his first game action behind him. Boone projects a late‑May or early‑June season debut if the progression continues without setbacks.
A Long Road Back for the Yankees’ Ace
Cole’s last official outing came in Game 5 of the 2024 World Series. His 2025 season was limited to two spring appearances before elbow issues shut him down. The six‑time All‑Star is entering the seventh year of his nine‑year, $324 million contract and remains central to the Yankees’ rotation plans .
His 2024 season was delayed until June due to nerve irritation and edema, but he still posted an 8–5 record with a 3.41 ERA and excelled in the postseason. Wednesday’s return gives the Yankees their first real glimpse of what he may look like in 2026.
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