Gerrit Cole Looks Dominant as Yankees Ace Takes Huge Step Toward Return

The New York Yankees received a major jolt of optimism this week as veteran ace Gerrit Cole faced live hitters for the first time since undergoing Tommy John surgery in the spring of 2025. Under the bright Florida sunshine at George M. Steinbrenner Field, the 35-year-old superstar delivered the type of performance that immediately elevated hopes across the organization.

Cole’s session marked a key milestone in his long and methodical recovery, and early impressions suggest he is returning with both strength and precision ahead of schedule.

According to MLB.com reporter Bryan Hoch, Cole threw roughly 20 pitches across one smooth, controlled inning. The right-hander faced a trio of notable Yankees hitters — Trent Grisham, Aaron Judge, và Jasson Domínguez — and showcased flashes of the dominant mid-90s heater that once made him the most feared pitcher in the American League.

Cole struck out Grisham on a vicious sequence, forced Judge to roll a grounder to second base, and allowed one loud contact to Domínguez — an expected outcome considering the young star’s elite bat speed.

Observers described the outing as controlled aggression — a sign Cole’s mechanics, timing, and mound confidence are returning to form. His fastball consistently sat at 95–96 mph, an encouraging range given that pitchers typically regain their final few ticks of velocity later in recovery. For February, the results could hardly be better.

The Yankees stressed caution throughout Cole’s rehab, but Friday’s showing suggests he may be closer to full strength than initially projected.

Cole is not expected to be ready for Opening Day, but internal estimates suggest he could rejoin the rotation by late April once he is fully stretched out. The organization’s priority is ensuring he can handle a full starter’s workload — likely 90–100 pitches per outing — without setbacks. For a pitcher of his mileage and veteran stature, the Yankees are willing to wait a few more weeks if it means getting him at peak durability for the long haul.

Given the scrutiny of last season’s injuries, the club is employing a patient, conservative approach.

One of the most impressed observers was none other than Yankees captain Aaron Judge. Speaking to reporter Brendan Kuty, Judge’s excitement practically poured through his comments. “It looked like the old 45 that I’ve seen for years,” he said, describing Cole as sharp, fiery, and unfazed by the long layoff.

Judge’s endorsement carries weight — the two stars have shared countless battles in practice and competition, making him one of the few players with an intimate understanding of Cole’s true ceiling.

Judge noted that the key moving forward will be refining command and ensuring Cole’s breaking pitches regain their signature bite. For power arms returning from Tommy John, sliders and curveballs often take longer to fully return, requiring weeks of bullpen work and live sessions before becoming game-ready. Even so, the tone from Yankees players and staff is overwhelmingly positive.

Cole’s body language, velocity, and competitive intensity resembled the version of himself who captured the 2023 AL Cy Young Award.

The Yankees’ optimism comes at a crucial moment for a roster that struggled with consistency last season. While New York made upgrades to its offense and bullpen, the team’s entire rotation structure depends heavily on Cole returning as a legitimate ace. With him healthy, the Yankees possess the type of top-end pitching that can carry them deep into October. Without him, the margin for error narrows considerably.

Cole’s encouraging outing, therefore, represents more than a medical update — it’s the emotional spark the team has needed.

Elsewhere in Tampa, the Yankees officially opened spring training with a 2–0 loss to the Baltimore Orioles at Ed Smith Stadium. Despite the defeat, the game delivered valuable insights into the club’s pitching depth and emerging talent.

A two-run homer from Pete Alonso off pitcher Bradley Hanner accounted for the difference, but much of the postgame conversation centered around New York’s young flamethrower.

Prospect Elmer Rodríguez stole the show with an electric performance that immediately grabbed the attention of scouts and analysts. The right-hander touched 97 mph on the radar gun and delivered three scoreless innings, allowing just three hits and no walks while striking out one. At only 21 years old, Rodríguez displayed poise well beyond his experience level.

His ability to mix power with command leaves many wondering whether he could factor into the big-league bullpen sooner rather than later.

“It felt good,” Rodríguez told Hoch afterward, reflecting on the adrenaline of his first spring outing. He admitted his nerves were high in the opening frame but said he was able to “channel it and use it” effectively once he settled in. Those words reflect the emotional maturity the Yankees desperately need from their next wave of young pitchers, especially with rotation depth still unproven behind veterans like Carlos Rodón and Marcus Stroman.

Several Yankees position players also logged important early work, including Jazz Chisholm Jr., Amed Rosario, Austin Wells, and José Caballero. While the offense remained quiet, spring training is less about immediate production and more about rhythm, timing, and team chemistry — elements that manager Aaron Boone expects to sharpen over the next several weeks.

Pitcher Jake Bird also contributed a clean inning, while Carson Coleman delivered one of the afternoon’s highlights by striking out the side in the seventh.

The combination of Cole’s progress and Rodríguez’s breakout offers a promising juxtaposition for the Yankees: proven elite talent returning at the top, and young firepower emerging from below. It is the type of dynamic championship-caliber teams often need — especially those navigating injuries, contract questions, and roster transitions.

While challenges remain, the early tone of Yankees camp feels different from last year — more confident, more composed, and unmistakably energized.

The biggest question, of course, is whether Cole and Judge can lead the Yankees back to the postseason and possibly to the franchise’s long-awaited return to the World Series. For now, Cole’s encouraging outing is a strong step forward. If the Yankees can keep him healthy, maintain internal momentum, and integrate their rising young talent, the path toward contention becomes far clearer.

In February, hope is abundant for every MLB team. But in Tampa, after watching Gerrit Cole unleash mid-90s heat again, the hope feels far more real.