Ace Gerrit Cole’s Instagram message gives Yankees a major boost

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NEW YORK — The New York Yankees received a major lift on Saturday when ace pitcher Gerrit Cole shared an encouraging update on his recovery from Tommy John surgery. In a short Instagram video, the right-hander was seen throwing off a mound at Yankee Stadium, marking his most significant progress since undergoing surgery in March.

In the brief clip posted to his Instagram Stories, Cole let out a spirited “Hell yeah” after delivering a pitch from the Yankees bullpen. The 35-year-old has been steadily working his way back from full UCL reconstruction with an internal brace, a procedure performed by renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles.

Progress following Cole’s lengthy absence

Cole’s path back to the mound officially began in early August, roughly five months after his operation. He started conservatively, tossing around 20 pitches from flat ground as part of his initial throwing program. The recent step to throwing off a mound represents a major leap forward in his recovery process.

The 2023 American League Cy Young Award winner missed the entire 2025 season after undergoing the procedure on March 11. His absence was felt throughout the Yankees’ rotation as New York tried to compensate without their ace. Despite posting a 3.91 team ERA — ranking 14th in the majors — the Yankees were eliminated in the American League Division Series, falling short of their championship aspirations.

“I was fairly accurate and had a good time,” Cole said in August after his first throwing session. “It’s a big one, first day throwing. Been building up to it for a few weeks, so it’s nice to get outside and get it accomplished and have it go well.”

Yankees’ rotation ravaged by injuries

Cole’s absence was just one of several blows the Yankees’ pitching staff endured in 2025. The rotation was decimated by injuries that forced manager Aaron Boone to rely heavily on younger arms.

Reigning Rookie of the Year Luis Gil did not make his season debut until August because of a severe lat strain. Clarke Schmidt underwent Tommy John surgery on July 11 and is not expected to return until after the All-Star break next season.

Carlos Rodon also had surgery to remove bone spurs and loose bodies from his left elbow. Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said Rodon’s recovery could delay his return until April or early May, while Boone acknowledged that the left-hander might be pushed back “potentially a couple of weeks” into the regular season.

Amid the adversity, the Yankees found an unexpected bright spot in rookie right-hander Cam Schlittler. The 23-year-old impressed with a 2.96 ERA across 14 starts and dominated in the postseason, posting a 1.26 ERA in two playoff outings.

Timeline remains uncertain but promising

Team officials have already ruled out Cole for Opening Day 2026, but optimism remains high about his potential return in the early part of the season. Typical recovery from Tommy John surgery takes between 12 and 18 months. Based on his current timeline, Cole could rejoin the Yankees sometime in May if his progress continues without setbacks.

The Yankees plan to “de-load” Cole over the offseason, reducing his throwing volume before ramping up again in the spring. He will meet with Dr. ElAttrache to monitor how his elbow responds to increased activity. Boone said the team hopes Cole can face live hitters during spring training if his rehabilitation stays on track.

Cole himself has expressed confidence about his recovery and said he will continue his offseason program in California.

“We have a good setup in California and good communication,” Cole said in August. “I can upload my throwing program to the internal platform and pretty much talk every day. There’s not a whole lot of urgency to get to Tampa right away.”

Potential impact on 2026 rotation

A healthy Gerrit Cole could completely reshape the Yankees’ 2026 rotation. The addition of newly signed ace Max Fried, who led MLB with 19 wins and posted a 2.86 ERA in 2025, gives New York a formidable one-two punch.

Once Cole returns, the Yankees’ projected rotation of Cole, Fried, Schlittler, Gil, and Rodon could rank among the strongest in baseball. The group has the potential to lift New York from a middle-tier pitching staff back into championship contention.

However, questions remain about how dominant Cole can be after such a significant procedure. He will turn 36 during the 2026 season and has already battled elbow issues since 2024, when he was limited to 17 starts but still managed a 3.41 ERA with 99 strikeouts.

Despite that injury-marred season, Cole shined in the 2024 postseason, recording a 2.17 ERA before his season ended in disappointment during the World Series. In Game 5 against the Los Angeles Dodgers, he allowed five unearned runs over 6.2 innings in a 7-6 loss that ended the Yankees’ title hopes.

High expectations for expensive ace

Cole enters 2026 carrying a career 3.18 ERA over his 13-year career. A six-time All-Star, he remains one of the highest-paid pitchers in MLB, earning $36 million annually through 2028. The Yankees invested heavily in him to anchor their rotation, and his successful return is critical for their long-term success.

The Yankees, who tied the Toronto Blue Jays for the best record in the American League in 2025 but lost the tiebreaker, were forced into the wild-card round against the Boston Red Sox. Without Cole, they advanced past Boston but fell to Toronto in four games in the ALDS.

Cole’s recent Instagram post offers a tangible sign of progress for a franchise that has missed its ace’s steady presence for nearly two years. His recovery video quickly spread among fans, providing renewed hope for a bounce-back season in 2026.

The Yankees’ pitching depth was tested to its limits in 2025, but Cole’s encouraging update reminded everyone what his return could mean. If he regains even most of his pre-surgery form, New York could once again boast one of baseball’s most intimidating rotations — and the Yankees know that a healthy Gerrit Cole remains the key to their championship ambitions.

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