Yankees ace Gerrit Cole took another step toward his highly anticipated return to the mound, tossing 5 2/3 innings in his third minor league rehab start for the Somerset Patriots on Tuesday. The 35-year-old right-hander allowed three runs on three hits while striking out three and walking none, throwing 45 of his 60 pitches for strikes in the Double-A Eastern League matchup against Boston's Portland Sea Dogs.
Cole cruised through the first 11 batters he faced before Ronald Rosario broke up the perfect game with a single. The very next pitch, Johanfran Garcia launched a two-run homer to give Portland a 2-1 lead in the fourth inning. Max Ferguson added another solo shot on the first pitch of the fifth, making it three runs allowed for the veteran pitcher.
"Not a lot of large misses and consistency out of all of the offerings today, which was nice," Cole said after the game. "I was pleased with the changeup. The shape and the location was pretty good today, probably the best it's been."
Through three minor league starts spanning 14 1/3 innings, Cole now holds a 4.40 ERA with 10 strikeouts and just one walk. The four home runs allowed, however, remain a concern as he works his way back from reconstructive elbow surgery on March 11, 2024, which sidelined him for the entire 2025 season.
The six-time All-Star and 2023 AL Cy Young Award winner last pitched in an official game during Game 5 of the 2024 World Series on October 30. While position players face a 20-day rehab limit, pitchers receive 30 days — and those recovering from Tommy John surgery can get three consecutive 10-day extensions, giving Cole ample time to build up his arm strength.
"It may seem like the same thing over and over again, but that's the point," Cole explained. "We don't have time up there to push in an extra day should the recovery not be — you got to go and you got to perform. I want to get there, but I just have to build such a big base in order to get up there, get in the flow, and start to execute."
In a bright spot for the Yankees organization, shortstop Anthony Volpe — playing a day after his 25th birthday — went 2-for-4 in the game, continuing to find his rhythm at the plate. As Cole continues his rehab journey, Yankees fans can only hope the ace's next start comes in pinstripes rather than the Patriots' colors.