Gerrit Cole Injury Update, Latest on Yankees Star's Elbow Rehab Ahead of 2026 MLB Season

New York Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole threw a fastball of just under 97 mph in his first live at-bat since undergoing Tommy John surgery last March, according to The Athletic's Chris Kirschner.

Cole began the day by striking out Trent Grisham on a 95 mph fastball in his first at-bat, per Kirschner.

He reached 96.9 mph on his fastball before closing out his one inning of work, Kirschner reported.

Cole then faced Aaron Judge and Jasson Domínguez, forcing Judge into what would have been a groundout while giving up a potential base hit to Domínguez, per Kirschner.

"His stuff is still electric. That's the amazing thing after a grueling, long rehab," Judge said about facing Cole again, per Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News. "To see 97 already, so early in the process, means nothing but good things for us down the road, that's for sure. To me, it looked just like any other year where he's pumping 97 mph, he's working the corners, he's attacking the strike zone.

"It looked like the old 45 that I've seen for years."

Cole told reporters last week that his return timetable "really hasn't changed" from 14 to 18 months of recovery from the reconstructive right elbow surgery he underwent last March.

That would put Cole on track to miss at least a month after the Yankees' regular season starts March 25, while putting his return date somewhere between May and July.

The Yankees added Ryan Weathers in a trade with the Miami Marlins last month, but have seemingly held off from acquiring high-end starting help in the hope Cole and Carlos Rodón are able to return from their respective elbow surgeries this season.

Cole led the AL with a 2.63 ERA during his 2023 Cy Young campaign before a 2024 season during which he was limited by his elbow issues.

The Yankees will hope a healthy Cole can return to the production levels that saw him post three straight All-Star campaigns between 2021 and 2023 once he makes his return to the mound this spring.