Gerrit Cole Progressing in Rehab, Nearing Return to Mound for Yankees

New York Yankees ace pitcher Gerrit Cole is making significant progress in his rehabilitation from right elbow nerve inflammation and edema that sidelined him in early March. On Tuesday, Cole reached a milestone by extending his throwing distance to 120 feet, completing 50 throws at Yankee Stadium.

While Cole is not yet ready to throw off a mound, Yankees manager Aaron Boone expressed optimism about his progress. "He might get on a mound soon, possibly sometime next week," Boone said. "Though 120 feet is typically the farthest a rehabbing pitcher will extend out before progressing to a mound, that doesn't mean this is the last step for Cole before bullpen sessions."

Cole has been focused on taking his rehab day-by-day, careful not to rush the process. "Cole has been resolute about taking his rehab day-to-day without hastening the process," according to sources familiar with his recovery. The expectation is that Cole will need the full six-week equivalent of spring training before he is ready to rejoin the Yankees' rotation.

Why this matters: Cole's return is vital for the Yankees, who have managed to remain competitive despite a rash of injuries to key players. As their ace pitcher, Cole's presence on the mound could provide a significant boost to the team's playoff aspirations.

Cole is not eligible to come off the 60-day injured list until May 27 at the earliest, but he will likely need additional time beyond that to fully recover. "The precise timeline for his return is still being evaluated," Boone noted. Despite the uncertainty, Cole remains positive about his progress, with his elbow showing no issues since his throwing program began on April 8.

As Cole continues to work towards a return, the Yankees received mixed news on another injured player. Infielder DJ LeMahieu, recovering from a nondisplaced fracture in his right foot, began a rehab assignment at Double-A Somerset but had to exit the game early due to soreness in his foot. LeMahieu will be re-examined by the team's physician to determine the next steps in his recovery.

The Yankees remain hopeful that Cole's rehab will continue to progress smoothly, with the expectation that he will rejoin the team in the coming weeks. Boone emphasized the importance of a measured approach, stating, "We're taking it day-by-day, making sure we do this right. Gerrit is a competitor and wants to be out there, but we have to prioritize his long-term health." As the Yankees navigate through early-season challenges, Cole's return could provide a much-needed spark to their pitching staff and overall performance on the field.

Key Takeaways

• Gerrit Cole making progress in rehab, reached 120-ft throwing milestone.
• Cole not yet ready to throw off mound, but may do so next week.
• Cole expected to need full 6-week spring training before rejoining Yankees.
• Cole's return vital for Yankees, who have dealt with numerous injuries.
• Yankees also dealing with injury to infielder DJ LeMahieu, who had setback in rehab.