Gerrit Cole Set for One-Inning Start Wednesday Against Red Sox in Tampa

New York Yankees right-hander Gerrit Cole will pitch one inning on Wednesday at Steinbrenner Field, marking his first game action since Tommy John surgery.

Gerrit Cole is scheduled to throw one inning as the starting pitcher on Wednesday in an exhibition game against the Boston Red Sox at Steinbrenner Field. This appearance marks the first spring training outing for the New York Yankees right-hander since undergoing Tommy John elbow surgery, a procedure that caused him to miss the entire 2025 season. The 35-year-old ace recently completed a 35-pitch bullpen session on Thursday, during which his fastball velocity reached 97.5 mph. This Gerrit Cole recovery milestone follows his last official competitive appearance, which took place during Game 5 of the 2024 World Series.

Manager Aaron Boone confirmed the Wednesday start on Tuesday, noting that the 2023 American League Cy Young Award winner has already progressed through multiple live batting practice sessions. The Yankees' current timeline projects Cole to make his official regular-season debut in late May or early June. During his recent training sessions, the six-time All-Star has incorporated breaking pitches alongside his high-velocity fastballs. The decision to move into game action was finalized within the last 48 hours after the coaching staff monitored his physical response to increased workloads over the previous 10 to 14 days.

Mechanical Adjustments and Pitching Progression

Cole has implemented a significant change to his pitching mechanics during this rehabilitation process by altering his windup. The right-hander now begins his delivery by raising his hands over his head, a departure from his previous technique where he stopped his hands at his chest. This adjustment was visible during his first bullpen session of the spring on Feb. 13 and his subsequent move to facing live hitters one week later. Cole described these sessions as being strictly confined regarding pitch count and allocation, though he emphasized that the level of competition remains high as he focuses on generating positive results against batters.

Prior to the surgery that sidelined him for the 2025 campaign, Cole participated in only two spring training games in 2024. His health issues began early that year, as elbow discomfort limited him to 17 starts throughout the 2024 season. This followed a highly productive three-year stretch with the Yankees where he recorded at least 30 starts and earned a minimum of 13 wins in each season. The upcoming one-inning stint in Tampa is designed to test his recovery in a game environment without accelerating his established return-to-play program.

Managerial Outlook and Roster Impact

Aaron Boone indicated that the Yankees did not have a definitive date for Cole's game return when the team first reported to Florida for spring training. The progression became more certain over the last two weeks as the pitcher demonstrated consistent recovery patterns following his live batting practice appearances. Boone stated that the move to start him on Wednesday is not an attempt to speed up the recovery but rather a reflection of Cole being physically ready for the next phase of competition. The manager highlighted that the ace has looked sharp in his recent workouts, providing confidence to the organization regarding his late-spring trajectory.

Historical Context of the Yankees Ace

The absence of the 2023 AL Cy Young winner left a significant void in the New York rotation during the 2025 season. Cole’s return to the mound at Steinbrenner Field serves as a critical step in reclaiming his role as the staff leader. By reaching 97.5 mph in a controlled bullpen setting, the veteran pitcher has shown that his arm strength is returning to elite levels. The Yankees are prioritizing a cautious approach to ensure he is available for the summer months, targeting the late May window for his first meaningful statistics of the new year. Wednesday's exhibition will serve as the primary barometer for his readiness to increase his pitch count in subsequent outings.