Gerrit Cole tosses scoreless frame in first game action since Tommy John surger

Gerrit Cole delivers during his long-awaited mound return at Steinbrenner Field.

Gerrit Cole threw a scoreless first inning Wednesday in his first competitive outing since undergoing Tommy John surgery last March. The Yankees ace faced Boston Red Sox prospects and retired the side despite two singles. He threw 10 pitches, seven strikes, in the exhibition at George M. Steinbrenner Field.

Cole's fastballs averaged 97.1 mph and topped out at 98.7 mph on six four-seamers. He mixed in two sliders and two knuckle-curves, including one that induced a groundout. A bunt single and stolen base tested him early, but he limited damage.

New York manager Aaron Boone slotted Cole for one frame as planned. The right-hander returns to the rotation in late May or early June after missing all of 2025. He logged 377 days between game appearances.

The 35-year-old won the 2023 AL Cy Young with a league-best 2.63 ERA. He went 15-4 that year before elbow trouble sidelined him in 2024 and forced surgery. Yankees won 94 games without him last season before an ALDS exit.

Cole signed a nine-year, $324 million extension through 2028. His buildup includes minor-league rehab starts after spring. Teammates raved about his sharpness in camp bullpens.

Carolina hosts Toronto next weekend to open the season. Cole anchors a deep rotation featuring Max Fried and Carlos Rodon. New York eyes an AL East title with their ace back in the fold