ESPN • 4/18/2026

Yankees ace Gerrit Cole recently completed his first minor league rehabilitation start for Double-A Somerset. In this outing, he threw 44 pitches over 4⅓ innings, during which he gave up three runs. Cole described the performance as "solid," indicating a positive assessment of his rehabilitation progress. Despite Cole's self-assessment, Yankees manager Aaron Boone stated that the pitcher will require "several more" rehab outings before he can rejoin the big league club. This suggests that while Cole is making strides in his recovery, the team is taking a cautious approach to ensure he is fully prepared for a return to Major League Baseball. The need for additional rehab outings highlights the Yankees' strategy in managing player health and performance, especially for a key player like Cole. His return is anticipated, but the organization is prioritizing his readiness to compete at the highest level. As Cole continues his rehabilitation process, further updates on his performance and the timeline for his return to the Yankees will likely be forthcoming.
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