The New York Yankees are awaiting the return of ace Gerrit Cole, who missed last season after undergoing Tommy John surgery. As spring training progresses, Cole offered a positive assessment of his recovery during an appearance on MLB Network on February 26.

Cole explained that his rehab has progressed smoothly, noting that he has met each benchmark set by the medical and performance staff. He added that his execution has been sharp, particularly in his most recent outing, and emphasized that everything remains within the expected recovery parameters.

One encouraging development has been the velocity on his fastball. Despite the lengthy layoff, Cole has reached the upper 90s during recent throwing sessions. He admitted some surprise at that development, acknowledging that his bullpen sessions had not consistently reached that level. However, he suggested that competitive intensity and adrenaline likely contributed to the increased velocity when facing hitters.

Aaron Boone Confident in Cole’s Return

Yankees manager Aaron Boone has expressed optimism about Cole’s outlook for 2026. Speaking to reporters on February 13, Boone said he believes the veteran right-hander can return to ace form, citing both Cole’s dedication to his craft and the strong overall success rate of Tommy John recoveries.

Boone acknowledged that the early stages of a pitcher’s return can involve adjustments, but he made it clear that he is not placing limitations on Cole’s ceiling once he re-enters the rotation.

At the same time, the Yankees intend to manage Cole’s workload carefully. Boone emphasized that, after missing the entire 2025 season, the organization will build him up gradually rather than immediately treating him as a full workload starter. With postseason aspirations in mind, the priority is ensuring Cole is healthy and durable when it matters most later in the year.

Carlos Rodón Also Trending Upward

Cole is not the only Yankees starter progressing from surgery. Carlos Rodón is also working his way back and is expected to return sooner.

According to SNY reporter Niki Lattarulo, Rodón is currently focused on gradually increasing velocity. His range of motion is reportedly where the team wants it to be, and the process is advancing deliberately to avoid setbacks. When asked about a potential timeline, Rodón expressed hope for a return sooner rather than later and responded positively to the idea of an April comeback.

For the Yankees, the steady progress of both Cole and Rodón provides reason for optimism. If each continues on schedule, New York could soon see its rotation bolstered by two frontline arms as it pushes toward a championship run in 2026.