The New York Yankees sorely missed Gerrit Cole in 2025. Now with the season over, GM Brian Cashman provided an update on the Yankees’ ace.
After needing Tommy John surgery before the 2025 season, Cole missed the entire season. Luckily for the Yankees, Max Fried and Carlos Rodon picked up the slack left behind by Cole, having strong seasons in their own right. Since Cole arrived in the Bronx in 2020, he’s been named to three All-Star games, and won the 2023 AL Cy Young award.
In 2024, Cole dealt with some elbow problems, which then worsened by the next season, resulting in Tommy John surgery. On Thursday, Cashman gave reporters an update on Cole. Cashman said that Cole will continue to lightly throw during the offseason, but won’t be ready for Opening Day. Initial estimates for his return appear to be around May 2026.
The Yankees are going to need Cole come 2026, especially with the injuries to Clarke Schmidt, and now Carlos Rodon in the rotation as well. If Cole is anywhere near the version of himself that dominated opposing hitters in 2023, then the Yankees could enter 2026 with one of the better rotations in all of baseball once all of the injuries settle.