When you hear "Tommy John," it's like a gut punch for MLB fans. It's the surgery that sidelines pitchers for at least a year, and right now, it's Gerrit Cole's reality.
Last March, the Yankees' ace found himself unable to lift his throwing arm, and within a week, he was on the operating table. That meant Cole was out for all of 2025 and will miss a chunk of the 2026 season.
As the Yankees gear up for their opener against the Giants on March 25, Cole won't be on the mound. He's still on the mend, but there's hope he'll be back throwing heat by late May or early June.
So, why isn't Cole pitching right now? Simply put, he's still recovering from that Tommy John surgery.
He made a couple of spring training appearances, but he'll start the season watching from the sidelines. It's been a year since that arm issue, and with a recovery window of 12 to 18 months, the Yankees are eyeing a summer return for their star pitcher.
The journey started in March 2025 when Cole, after a brief exhibition game, couldn't lift his arm. The dreaded Tommy John surgery was the only option, sidelining him for over a year. Yankee fans felt the sting immediately, knowing their season was taking a hit before it even began.
But when can we expect Cole back in pinstripes? The timeline suggests late May to June.
Cole himself mentioned in an ESPN interview that the plan was always a 14 to 18-month recovery. He’s already shown glimpses of his old self, pitching a scoreless inning against the Red Sox in spring training, and he’s set for another outing against the Cubs.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone has been clear: "The fact that he’s getting into a game now kind of indicates where he is and how well it is going. We’re not rushing anything; he’s just ready."
The surgery itself was performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles, and Cole received an internal brace in his elbow to help prevent future injuries. With a year of recovery under his belt, he's making strides, having already taken the mound in the Grapefruit League.
Tommy John surgery has been a part of baseball since 1974, when Dr. Frank Jobe first performed it on Dodgers pitcher Tommy John. Back then, it was experimental, but John made a successful comeback, setting the stage for countless pitchers since.
For Yankees fans, seeing Cole back on the mound can't come soon enough. His return is eagerly anticipated, and if all goes well, he’ll be back to bolster the Yankees' rotation soon.