Gerrit Cole still has a ways to go before he'll be back on a Major League mound. But he is inching closer to his much-anticipated return.
Cole, on the road back from March 2025 Tommy John surgery, made his second rehab appearance on Thursday night with High-A Hudson Valley.
Following a 44-pitch outing with Double-A Somerset last Friday, the 35-year-old worked up to 52 pitches (42 strikes) on Thursday, again completing 4 1/3 innings against the Brooklyn Cyclones. He allowed two runs on five hits, including a home run, striking out four without walking a batter.
Cole was also afforded a few opportunities to work into and out of trouble throughout the game, inducing an inning-ending double play with men on first and second in the top of the second and stranding a runner on third in the third. He struck out three batters in the fourth, working around a home run by Corey Collins.
The Yankees have not specified a minimum number of rehab appearances Cole will need before he can return to the big league rotation. Regardless, he is unlikely to make his 2026 debut before late May as he remains on track for the approximate 14-month recovery timeline estimated for him.
Given where Cole is in that process, the Yankees are bound to be encouraged by his command, often the last thing a pitcher regains on his way back from Tommy John. Through his first two rehab starts, Cole has walked just one batter in 8 2/3 innings and thrown 78 of 96 pitches for strikes (81.3%).