Gerrit

Cole

Cole topped out at 98.7 mph and averaged 97.1 mph with his four fastballs, which is 1.2 mph better than when he was last seen in 2024. His average fastball velocity peaked at 97.8 mph in 2022. His two curves and two sliders were up about 1.5 mph from 2024. So, it doesn’t look like arm strength is going to be an issue here. The Yankees have maintained that they see Cole returning in late May or June, but it’s not going to be easy holding him back for that long. He’s being underdrafted in fantasy leagues right now.

This is a great sign for Cole’s chances of coming back sooner rather than later, but the Yankees will likely be cautious with him and he will need to build up to be ready to pitch in the majors. Still, a late April or early May return sounds like what this is trending towards barring a setback.

The right-hander mixed in breaking balls during this session and his fastball topped out at 97.5 mph. He continues to make progress in his recovery, and the likelihood continues to increase that we see him back on a big league mound before the end of May. The better that he looks throughout the spring, the higher his draft cost is going to get.

It’s another important step for Cole as he continues in his recovery. The 35-year-old hurler is slated to work one inning in a simulated game. He actually sounds like he’s a bit ahead of schedule in his recovery and there has been talk that Cole could get into Grapefruit League games before spring training is through. As long as he avoids any setbacks, he could be ready to rejoin the Yankees’ rotation before the end of May.

He added that Cole could graduate to game action by the end of spring training. The word over the offseason was that Cole was likely to be out until late May or early June, and this update seems to jive well with that timetable. Cole figures to rejoin the Yankees at midseason as long as his rehab and ramp-up go well.

The previous update from the club put Cole on track to face hitters in spring training but be delayed to start next season. Now, it seems like the veteran right-hander will miss at least the first two months of the year. Given what we have seen from pitchers coming back off of a full year lost to Tommy John surgery, Cole shouldn’t be drafted in re-draft leagues before a later-round flyer. He’s likely to be scooped up earlier than that in most drafts based on name recognition alone.

Cole is not expected to be ready for Opening Day as he continues to work his way back from Tommy John surgery, but Yankees manager Aaron Boone told reporters he should progress to facing hitters during spring training. He’s expected to meet with Dr. Neal ElAttrache this offseason to determine the next steps as he ramps up his throwing program. The 35-year-old former fantasy ace should make it back to New York at some point during the early stages of next season, which makes him an interesting mid-round target for fantasy purposes.

Cole had his Tommy John surgery on March 13, so an April return next year would be awfully aggressive. Still, Cole is 35 and probably particularly motivated to make it back, and he’s also apparently felt good since he resumed throwing in August. He might be undervalued in early drafts.

Cole threw 20 pitches on flat ground, which marked the official beginning of his throwing program following Tommy John surgery in March. There is still a long way to go in his rehab process, but it’s nice to see Cole meeting the first benchmark. He’s expected to return early in the summer of 2026.

Cole is probably looking at a June or July return next year, though he’ll likely push the envelope if given the opportunity.