Yankees' Cole to make first rehab start

Gerrit Cole set for Double-A appearance as he recovers from Tommy John surgery

Apr. 16, 2026 at 6:15am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a baseball pitcher's motion broken down into overlapping angular shapes and planes, capturing the raw energy and movement of the sport.Gerrit Cole's long-awaited return to the mound will be a pivotal moment for the Yankees' playoff hopes.Somerset Today

New York Yankees right-hander Gerrit Cole, who has been sidelined since undergoing Tommy John surgery in March 2025, will make his first rehab start with the Double-A Somerset team on Friday.

Why it matters

Cole's return from injury is a critical development for the Yankees as they look to bolster their pitching rotation and make a push for the playoffs this season. The team has struggled without their ace on the mound.

The details

After over a year of recovery and rehabilitation, Cole will take the mound for the Yankees' Double-A affiliate in Somerset, New Jersey as he works his way back to the major league roster. This will be the first step in his return to the big leagues.

  • Cole underwent Tommy John surgery in March 2025.

The players

Gerrit Cole

A right-handed pitcher for the New York Yankees who has been sidelined since undergoing Tommy John surgery in March 2025.

New York Yankees

A professional baseball team based in the Bronx, New York that competes in Major League Baseball's American League East division.

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What’s next

If Cole's rehab start on Friday goes well, he could progress to higher levels of the minor leagues as he continues his recovery and builds up his pitch count and endurance.

The takeaway

Gerrit Cole's return from Tommy John surgery is a critical development for the Yankees as they look to bolster their pitching rotation and make a push for the playoffs this season. His first rehab start on Friday will be an important milestone in his recovery process.