TAMPA, Fla. – Cam Schlittler and Carlos Rodón were mid-conversation with a couple of visitors early on Wednesday morning when Gerrit Cole approached, his game face already applied as he changed into a hooded sweatshirt and shorts.
“Hey Gerrit. You excited?” Schlittler said. “Big day.”
There was no audible response. Returning to game action 372 days after undergoing Tommy John surgery on his right elbow, Cole’s focus was on the mound for an eventful – and scoreless – first inning against the Red Sox at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
With Cole carrying an old-school, hands-over-head windup into Grapefruit League action for the first time, Boston’s Braiden Ward tested the 2023 American League Cy Young Award winner on his first pitch, bunting for a hit down the first-base line.
It was a bit of flair from Ward, who last week channeled Rickey Henderson with an on-field celebration after setting a Spring Training stolen base record, but a rude welcome as Cole took on his first lineup since Game 5 of the 2024 World Series against the Dodgers.
Ward stole second base, his 19th steal of the spring, but Cole retired Kristian Campbell on a flyout to left field and Austin Wells threw out Ward attempting to steal third. Jason Delay singled to left field, but Cole completed the inning by getting Nathan Hickey to ground out, a play on which Cole covered first base.
All told, the outing lasted 10 pitches (seven strikes) – a nice reward after months of grueling rehab. Cole’s six fastballs averaged 97.1 mph, maxing out at 98.7 mph. He also flashed his knuckle curve and slider, twice each.
The Yankees have said they anticipate Cole returning to the Majors in late May or early June, with his next few months set to include Minor League rehab starts in Tampa and elsewhere.