TAMPA, Fla. – Gerrit Cole, the New York Yankees’ star pitcher, returned to the mound after a 377-day absence. He did so in an exhibition game against the Boston Red Sox, where he pitched a scoreless first inning.
Cole demonstrated his ability by throwing 10 pitches, of which seven were strikes. Six four-seam fastballs stood out with an average of 97.1 mph, reaching up to 98.7 mph.
The pitcher also used two sliders and a couple of knuckle curves. His first pitch, a fastball at 96.6 mph, was hit for a single, and although there was a stolen base and a fly ball, catcher Austin Wells managed to get a runner out on a steal attempt.
Jason Delay singled, while Nathan Hickey was out with a knuckle curve.
With a light beard, as the Yankees relaxed their policy on facial hair, Cole showed a new way of pitching, with his hands on his head.
Cole, 35, underwent Tommy John surgery on March 11 of last year. His last official appearance was in Game 5 of the 2024 World Series, on October 30.
The Yankees manager, Aaron Boone, expects Cole to make his season debut in late May or early June.
Cole’s debut in the 2024 season was delayed until June 19 due to nerve irritation and edema in his right elbow. In 17 starts for New York, he had an 8-5 record with a 3.41 ERA, and in five postseason starts, he had a 1-0 record with a 2.17 ERA.
Cole is signed to a nine-year, $324 million contract through 2028. He has a career record of 153-80 and a 3.18 ERA in 317 starts with Pittsburgh (2013-17), Houston (2018-19), and the Yankees (starting in 2020).
