Gerrit Cole Launches Rehab Start with Somerset Patriots After Tommy John Surgery

Gerrit Cole took a significant step in his recovery journey on Friday, making his first rehab start for the Somerset Patriots, the Double-A affiliate of the New York Yankees. This outing marked his return to the mound following Tommy John surgery in early 2025, and the ace displayed promising signs of his formidable talent.

During his 4 1/3 innings of work, Cole allowed three hits and three earned runs, accompanied by one walk and three strikeouts, all while throwing 44 pitches. Notably, he reached a velocity of 96 mph during the first inning, demonstrating that his fastball remains a formidable weapon. Cole’s curveball also made an appearance, leading to his first strikeout of the rehab assignment.

However, the second inning proved challenging for Cole. After issuing a walk, he surrendered an RBI double to Dylan Campbell and a home run to Bryson Ware on consecutive batters, highlighting the learning curve that often accompanies a return from injury.

According to MLB.com, Cole has been progressing well through his rehab this year, having completed two short starts during spring training. Following a successful side session on Wednesday, the Yankees decided to activate his rehab assignment clock, which mandates that players must return to the MLB roster within 30 days. Notably, Tommy John surgery patients can receive three 10-day extensions if needed.

As for his timeline, Cole is projected to return in June, and he expressed satisfaction with his current condition earlier this week. “I have no complaints,” Cole stated on Monday. “The stamina was good. The pitches are fine right now. They’re good. I’m a little nitpicky, but everything is good.”

The Yankees, currently holding an 11-9 record, are looking forward to Cole’s return as they continue to navigate the season without their ace. They recently secured a 4-2 victory over the Kansas City Royals, with the rotation currently led by Max Fried and Cam Schlittler. The anticipation builds as fans await the return of one of baseball’s elite pitchers to the mound.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.