Yankees Ace Cole Returns to Mound, Surrenders 3 Runs in Double-A Start

Gerrit Cole gives up homer in first rehab start with Somerset 

Gerrit Cole allowed a two-run homer over 4.1 innings in his first rehab start for Double-A Somerset as he works back from Tommy John surgery.

New York’s rotation has a 3.40 ERA without Cole. The ace took the first step back Friday, tossing 4.1 innings in Double-A rehab start...

  

Gerrit Cole returned to the mound Friday for Double-A Somerset, allowing three runs on three hits across 4.1 innings in his first rehab appearance.

The 35-year-old right-hander was tagged for an RBI double and a two-run shot, adding one walk and three strikeouts to his line.

 

Command wasn’t an issue - 36 of Cole’s 44 pitches went for strikes.

Bryson Ware homers off Gerrit Cole in the second inning for Reading 🚀#Phillies pic.twitter.com/1Jcr2pIUMe

— Milb Central (@milb_central) April 17, 2026

The 2023 Cy Young winner is working back from Tommy John surgery after sitting out all of 2025. He logged a pair of one-inning appearances in Spring Training and threw simulated innings to hitters from the Yankees’ High-A affiliate, the Hudson Valley Renegades, on Sunday.

Pitchers get 30 days for rehab assignments, plus a possible 10-day extension, while position players are limited to 20 days when returning from injury.

With that timeline, the Yankees expect Cole back around early June as they gradually build him up for a return to the rotation.

Through games on April 17th, New York’s 11-9 starters have posted a 3.40 ERA, eighth-best in MLB, while racking up 108 strikeouts, fifth-most.