NEW YORK – How much does Gerrit Cole miss pitching? The Yankees' ace is still facing big league lineups, at least in his mind.
Each night before bed, the Yankees right-hander said he has been going through a sequence of mental exercises, detailing how he’d attack opposing hitters.
Asked on Monday how it’s going, Cole quipped with a grin: “I haven’t given up any hits recently.”
The real thing will have to wait until 2026, as Cole continues to recover from reconstructive right elbow surgery performed in March.
That rehab process is going well, according to Cole, who said he has been working out at Yankee Stadium six days a week. He plans to be around the team more now that his arm is feeling stronger, and aims to resume playing catch sometime in August.
“I hope it comes back like a fresh, new set of tires,” Cole said. “That’s the best hope; just a pit stop that took a little longer than we had hoped for. … The first few weeks are important. It’s a long process, and it’s not super enjoyable. But you’ve got to not rush it and be where you are in the process. It gets better and better as it goes along, but it takes a while.”
Sunday marked Cole’s first game back in the dugout, and he said he was in the clubhouse for a few April contests. Though the Yankees would naturally rather have him on the mound, Cole’s presence could be a valuable resource for the club’s pitching staff.
That was the case in the first months of the 2024 season, when Cole assumed the role of auxiliary pitching coach while recovering from right elbow inflammation and edema.
“He’s got a wealth of experience and he’s had a ton of success, but he’s also had moments of truth and struggles and adversity, too,” manager Aaron Boone said. “He’s got a lot to share, and he likes sharing it, but he’s also smart about the craft. He’s able to absorb the information that’s available now, and shares that with the other guys.”
Unable to lift his arm after a March 6 exhibition outing, Cole’s worst fears were confirmed by a series of MRIs. He underwent surgery on March 11, performed in Los Angeles by Dr. Neal ElAttrache; the procedure included the insertion of an internal brace, which is intended to protect against reinjury or setbacks during the first year.
Cole said he is planning on a 14-month recovery period. He said he felt fortunate that his original equipment stayed intact for more than 1,950 innings and 12 Major League seasons with the Pirates (2013-17), Astros (2018-19) and Yankees (2020-present).
“I defeated the odds for so long,” Cole said. “It did catch up to me, but I feel good about getting everything out of it up to this point. Hopefully, a lot of the things that helped me fight it off for so long will help me on the back end here. I still think those are good habits and good for sustainability.”
In the weeks since, Cole said he has been able to score bonus time with his family. That has included shuttling his children to school and other activities. Cole’s son, Caden, is on the same Little League team as Carlos Rodón’s son, Bo.
“I’ve been able to be Dad a lot more,” Cole said. “That’s been really helpful to keep my spirits up, and they’ve certainly enjoyed it. It’s been an opportunity that I never really thought I would have during the summer or spring at any point. That aspect of it has been nice, but I miss playing. I miss competing.”
Of course, Cole continues to watch his teammates closely, observing the ups and downs of a rotation he hungers to be reunited with.
“They’re battling; Max [Fried] has been outstanding,” Cole said. “Carlos has been really, really great for us as well. The injuries have been unfortunate, to Luis [Gil] and Clarke [Schmidt] and Marcus [Stroman]. So they’re holding it together the best they can.
“We’re still right in the thick of it, playing good ball and putting ourselves in a good position to have a good next month.”