After a lengthy 569-day hiatus, Gerrit Cole made a triumphant return to the New York Yankees’ pitching lineup on Friday, as if he had never been away. Making his comeback from Tommy John surgery, Cole showcased his skills by keeping the top-ranked Tampa Bay Rays at bay for six innings without conceding a run. Despite the Yankees ultimately losing 4-2, Cole allowed just two hits and three walks while striking out two, throwing a concise 72 pitches.
“It was almost like a second debut,” Cole said about his first start back from Tommy John surgery. “It was an enjoyable moment and it was nice to get back in the fire.”
The game began with a bit of a scare for Cole, as he gave up a single to Chandler Simpson and walked Junior Caminero. However, he quickly recovered with a fly out, a pickoff, and a strikeout to end the inning. This marked the beginning of an impressive stretch where Cole retired 12 of 13 batters, including an efficient seven-pitch third inning and a four-pitch fourth inning.
“Really efficient. Thought he was really good. They were being very aggressive with him, but I thought he did a good job,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said after the game. “… Really exciting to get. him back and have him go out there. I’m sure he was carrying a lot of emotions with him out there.
Examining his performance more closely, Cole’s pitches showed great vigor. His fastball averaged 96.1 mph, mirroring his average speed before the surgery in 2024, and he reached a peak of 98.6 mph. This was his fastest pitch in a regular-season game since August 2024. While control is often the last skill to return post-surgery, Cole demonstrated excellent command, precisely targeting the knees with his sinker.
Though Cole managed to throw 86 pitches in his final Triple-A rehab game, the Yankees opted for caution in his MLB return, removing him after six innings and 72 pitches. This measured approach was to avoid overworking him after a challenging 14-month recovery. It’s expected that Cole will gradually increase his pitch count to 80 in his next outing, then 90, before reaching the full 100.
“I felt like that was the smart play,” Cole said about exiting after 72 pitches. “It may seem easy, but it was a high-pressure, tough game. Had one quick inning and we made some great defensive plays that led to some of that efficiency as well. Overall, it was good work for what we had out there.”
Heading into Friday’s game, the Yankees’ starting rotation boasted the fifth-best ERA at 3.22 and led the league with a WAR of 6.6, all achieved without Cole’s contributions this season. Here’s a snapshot of the team’s current rotation lineup:
- RHP Gerrit Cole
LHP Max Fried(out with an elbow bone bruise)- RHP Cam Schlittler
- LHP Carlos Rodón
- RHP Will Warren
- LHP Ryan Weathers
RHPLuis Gil (on Triple-A injured list with shoulder inflammation)- RHP Elmer Rodríguez
Cole effectively fills Max Fried’s rotation spot, as the two have not yet been healthy concurrently for the Yankees. The team is optimistic that both pitchers will be fit in a few weeks with Fried’s anticipated return. Additionally, Carlos Rodón rejoined the roster earlier this month after recovering from elbow surgery to remove bone spurs. This marks the healthiest state of New York’s major league rotation since mid-2024.
Friday was Cole’s first MLB game since Game 5 of the 2024 World Series. His elbow gave out last spring training and he underwent Tommy John surgery soon thereafter. Last weekend, Boone said the Yankees would have Cole make one more minor-league rehab start, but they changed plans and brought him back Friday instead.
Alas and alack, New York’s bullpen blew a slim 1-0 lead and allowed four runs in the eighth, spoling Cole’s return. The Yankees dropped to 0-4 against the Rays this season.
In 2024, his last season before Tommy John surgery, Cole pitched to a 3.41 ERA in 17 starts after dealing with a nerve issue in his elbow that spring training.
