The New York Yankees right-handed star pitcher Gerrit Cole is giving Yankees fans hope as he is trending in the positive direction, Cole and manager Aaron Boone said.
Cole has been recovering from Tommy John surgery, but he remains on the expected timeline of 14-18 months after his most recent procedure in March 2025. Based on this timeline, we could see the Yankees’ former ace pitch in the majors between June and October.
New York has repeated on hoping he can return sometime in June, according to ESPN.
Gerrit Cole’s Timeline Heading Into 2025-26
“The target has always been between 14 to 18 months,” Cole told reporters on February 13. “That’s what the research says. That’s what the comps that we’ve looked at says and that’s what it’s always been.”
Cole took a step forward after throwing in the bullpen on February 13. He performed a modified windup delivery, which saw him bring his hands over his head rather than to his chest.
Over the summer, Cole was able to work on this during the summer, stating, “It just felt good,” he said. “Just throwing on the back fields during the summer, I tried it out. I’ve had a few idiosyncrasies that have changed over the years. I think I generally just like the rhythm of it.”
Aaron Boone’s Thoughts on Gerrit Cole’s Progress
Aaron Boone said Cole is making all the right steps to becoming the pitcher we once saw.
“He looked like Gerrit Cole,” he told reporters on February 13. “Just really efficient, really great command. When I think of Gerrit and his greatness, a lot of it ties to his delivery. Everything looks like it’s coming out free and easy. I liken it to a diver that dives off the high board and just goes in the water, making no splash. That’s Gerrit.”
Boone expressed the possibility of giving Cole a chance to pitch throughout spring training but said he would not rush Cole back into action.
“The last thing we want to do is push him early in the season just because he looks like he does now,” Cole said. “The reality is he didn’t pitch last year on top of having that surgery, and we want to make sure we give him the proper time to make sure he is good and ready to come back, built up smartly. We won’t rush that with him, even if it continues to go incredibly well.”
Yankees Awaiting Cole’s Return
The Yankees have not seen Cole pitch since Game 5 of the World Series versus the Los Angeles Dodgers back in 2024. That season, Cole had started in 22 games and pitched 124 innings as he sustained an elbow injury during spring training. The Yankees ace did not pitch all of 2025, as the Yankees lost to the Toronto Blue Jays in the American League Divisional Series.
Whenever Cole is ready to play this season, there is no doubt he will play a crucial role in the team’s success. As Carlos Rodon and Clarke Schmidt are recovering from injury, the Yankees’ rotation is projected to be Max Fried, Cam Schlittler, Will Warren, Ryan Weathers, and Luis Gil.
Yankees’ Gerrit Cole Trending Toward Return Amid Recent Update