Yankees' Gerrit Cole Shines in Bullpen Sessions During Injury Recovery

The ace pitcher is showing vintage form as he works his way back from Tommy John Surgery.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 5:21pm

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New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole is making impressive progress in his recovery from Tommy John Surgery, with reports of him having "vintage" moments during recent bullpen sessions. Despite missing the 2025 season due to the injury, Cole is demonstrating his competitive edge and elite stuff as he prepares to rejoin the Yankees' rotation for the 2026 season.

Why it matters

Cole's health is a critical factor for the Yankees as they look to overtake the Toronto Blue Jays in the AL East division. The team's starting rotation has been dealing with multiple injuries, so Cole's successful recovery could be a major boost for their playoff aspirations.

The details

During a recent 35-pitch live batting practice session, Cole reportedly had a "vintage Gerrit Cole moment" where he stopped to ask the catcher if a pitch he had thrown was actually a ball, indicating his typical intense focus and command. Prior to his injury, Cole was one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball, going 15-4 with a 2.63 ERA in 2023.

  • Cole missed the entire 2025 MLB season due to Tommy John Surgery.
  • He recently faced hitters for the first time in over a year, marking an important milestone in his recovery.

The players

Gerrit Cole

A star starting pitcher for the New York Yankees who is recovering from Tommy John Surgery and aiming to return to the team's rotation in 2026.

Clarke Schmidt

A Yankees starting pitcher who is also dealing with an injury and working his way back.

Carlos Rodon

Another Yankees starting pitcher recovering from an injury alongside Cole and Schmidt.

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What they’re saying

“There was a vintage Gerrit Cole moment during his 35-pitch live BP session. After a coach barked 'up' and called Cole's first pitch a ball, Cole stopped and asked the catcher, 'Did you have that up? Because that was on the plate.' Cole, ever the intense competitor.”

— Jack Curry, Reporter

What’s next

Cole may not be ready for the start of the 2026 MLB season, but his progress in bullpen sessions is an encouraging sign for the Yankees as they look to get their rotation back to full strength.

The takeaway

Gerrit Cole's determined recovery from Tommy John Surgery and his display of his signature intensity in recent bullpen sessions suggest the Yankees' ace could be poised for a bounce-back season once he rejoins the rotation, providing a major boost to the team's playoff aspirations.