Yankees' Gerrit Cole excels in return from Tommy John surgery

In his first Major League Baseball start in 569 days, Gerrit Cole pitched six scoreless innings for the New York Yankees against the Tampa Bay Rays on May 22, 2026. Following Tommy John surgery, Cole showcased his skills by allowing only two singles and three walks while striking out two batters. He threw a total of 72 pitches during the Yankees' 4-2 loss.

"It was almost like a second debut," Cole said, reflecting on the experience. He faced early challenges by allowing a single to Chandler Simpson and a walk to Junior Caminero to start the game but quickly found his rhythm, retiring 12 of 13 batters in a remarkable stretch, which included a seven-pitch third inning.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone praised Cole's performance, stating, "Really efficient. Thought he was really good. They were being very aggressive with him, but I thought he did a good job." Boone expressed excitement about Cole's return, emphasizing the emotional weight Cole carried during the game.

Cole's average fastball speed reached 96.1 mph, close to his pre-surgery average from 2024. He topped out at 98.6 mph, marking his fastest pitch in a regular-season game since August 2024. His control was notably sharp, as he targeted the knees with his sinker, allowing only three hard-hit balls out of 17.

Despite previously reaching 86 pitches in his final Triple-A rehab start, the Yankees were cautious with Cole, limiting him to 72 pitches in his return. "I felt like that was the smart play," Cole said, acknowledging the high-pressure nature of the game. He noted the importance of a quick inning and effective defensive support in his overall efficiency.

Entering this game, the Yankees' starting pitchers boasted the fifth-best ERA (3.22) and best WAR (6.6) in baseball, underscoring the depth of their rotation. Cole's return not only replaces injured pitcher Max Fried, who is out due to an elbow bone bruise, but also signals hope that he and Fried can share the mound together in the future.