The New York Yankees have slowed down quite a bit after a hot start to the 2026 season. They now are 10-9 and sit 1 1/2 games back of the Tampa Bay Rays in the American League East. They also began the season without former Cy Young winner Gerrit Cole, who is still recovering from Tommy John surgery.
Their starting rotation was seen as a strength entering the season, but it recently took a beating at the hands of Los Angeles Angels star Mike Trout, who went on a home run spree at Yankee Stadium. New York’s rotation has a 4.90 ERA in its last 10 games.
Cole missed all of the 2025 season after undergoing the surgery in spring training and was not available for the postseason either. He had helped get the Bronx Bombers to the World Series in 2024.
However, on Friday, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com provided an exciting update on Cole and where he stands in his rehab journey.
“Gerrit Cole is scheduled to make his first Minor League rehab start tonight, when he’ll take the mound for Double-A Somerset,” Hoch wrote.
“Cole, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery performed in March 2025, is slated to face the Phillies’ Double-A Reading affiliate at 6:35 p.m. ET. Cole will throw approximately 40 pitches, manager Aaron Boone said on Thursday.”
Gerrit Cole Takes Next Step in Tommy John Recovery
This is good news for the Yankees. Cole obviously will not have a long leash, given that he is only slated to throw 40 pitches, but it’s still a major step in his recovery journey.
New York has a strong starting rotation on paper that should be able to keep them in the postseason race for the entire season, but thanks to Trout’s home run barrage, the rotation has taken its lumps. Having Cole in the mix could have certainly helped prevent some of this if he had been active.
But Cole’s impending return should give them a boost in that department and should help them be able to limit the damage from opposing teams, especially in terms of home runs.
One ace can certainly change a lot for a team, and if Cole was available, there is always a possibility that New York could have prevented Trout’s home run spree.
Either way, having Cole back should give them a major boost as they try to get back on track and potentially take the top spot in the AL East away from the Rays.
Gerrit Cole’s Return Could Change AL East
With Cole active soon, the Yankees could have a much better chance to get going again. Their rotation will get a much-needed reset, and they will have their ace back at the top to try and right the ship.
That could settle things down quite a bit after a rough stretch that was punctuated by Trout’s surge. As long as he can remain healthy, the Yankees’ rotation should be just fine and able to prevent rough stretches such as the one they just endured thanks to Trout.
We’ll see what’s next for Cole after his rehab start.
Yankees Receive Exciting Update on Gerrit Cole After Mike Trout HR Explosion