When Gerrit Cole steps onto the mound against the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday, the scene might seem low-key. We're talking about a minor-league ballpark in Mesa, Arizona, wrapping up the New York Yankees’ spring training. Cole, at 35, will pitch just a couple of innings as he continues his comeback from Tommy John surgery, with a major league return not expected until June.
But don't let the setting fool you. For the Yankees, every pitch Cole throws is pivotal.
If the Yankees want to silence critics questioning their decision to stick with the roster that fell in the AL Division Series last year, Cole needs to return as the ace he's been throughout his stellar 12-year career.
Aaron Judge certainly gets it. When asked about GM Brian Cashman’s decision to stick with last year’s squad, Judge pointed to Cole as a game-changer.
“You get to add G. Cole down the road a little bit with some other guys,” Judge noted. “I like our chances.”
Pitching coach Matt Blake is optimistic about Cole’s return, even suggesting he could be better than when he snagged the AL Cy Young Award in 2023.
“The league is adjusting, and so is he,” Blake said. “He’s got to elevate his game, but from a preparation and physical standpoint, we could see that version of Gerrit again. He might even have another gear.”
Cole himself is keeping things simple, focusing on daily execution.
“I try not to have any expectations, really, other than to execute each day at a high level,” he said.
The Yankees are projected by FanGraphs to narrowly clinch the AL East, with the second-highest wins above replacement total in the AL. This is despite Cole’s late start and a rotation missing key players like Carlos Rodón and Clarke Schmidt, both recovering from surgeries. Shortstop Anthony Volpe is also out until at least May.
And then there are the looming questions. Can Trent Grisham repeat his 34-home run performance?
Will Cam Schlittler maintain his prodigious form? Can Giancarlo Stanton stay healthy for a full season?
Will the bullpen rally behind closer David Bednar? And can Ryan McMahon cut down on strikeouts?
Manager Aaron Boone has a roster full of potential platoon advantages to navigate.
ZiPS, a player performance forecasting metric, doesn’t expect Cole to play a huge role this season, projecting him at 1.8 WAR over 19 starts with a 3.91 ERA. But fellow ace Max Fried is eager to pitch alongside him, having missed the chance last season.
“When I signed,” Fried said, “one of the things I was most excited about was being able to pitch with Gerrit and Carlos (Rodón), knowing the talent they have.”
The Yankees have good reason to be optimistic about Cole’s comeback. In his first live batting practice in February, he hit 97 mph.
He showcased his signature slider and fastball command, even adding a new over-the-head windup reminiscent of the pitchers he admired growing up. In his first spring training start, his fastball averaged 96.1 mph, slightly up from 2024.
He also showed off his fielding skills, handling a bunt and covering first base.
“He looked good,” Boone remarked after the outing. “Strong. Poised.”
The Yankees’ confidence in Cole’s return started well before this spring. Back in November, in a snow-dusted Yankee Stadium, Cole threw with bullpen catcher Peter Serruto. Despite it being an offseason workout, Cole’s intensity was as if he was gearing up for a World Series game.
“Everything was so game-like,” Serruto observed. “Just such a meticulous approach.”
Matt Blake, watching from the sidelines, felt reassured. Cole’s ace mentality is intact, and it’s crucial for the Yankees’ 2026 aspirations, especially if they want their strategy to succeed.
“That’s how he got to be great,” Blake said.