The Yankees ace, who missed the entire 2025 season, has offered the first jolt of optimism for his 2026 comeback, even as the team maintains a cautious timeline.
NEW YORK — For the first time since his 2025 season was ended by Tommy John surgery, Yankees ace Gerrit Cole has broken his silence on his long recovery, delivering a message of hope to a fanbase that desperately missed him.
“It’s been a long, long road,” Cole told reporters at a team event on Tuesday. “But the targets are being hit. The arm feels good… We’re getting closer.“
The simple, four-word update is the first major public comment from the 35-year-old superstar since his rehab began. Cole, the 2023 AL Cy Young winner, missed the entire 2025 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery with an internal brace on March 11.
The “Opening Day” Question
While Cole’s “we’re getting closer” quote implies a return is on the horizon, the Yankees organization has already been careful to manage expectations.
In mid-October, manager Aaron Boone officially confirmed that Cole will not be ready for Opening Day 2026.
The organization is targeting a more realistic 14-month recovery, which would place his return in mid-May. Boone did state, however, that the “hope” is for Cole to be facing live hitters by the end of Spring Training, a crucial step that would signal he is on the final leg of his rehab.
A Critical Step Forward
Cole’s optimistic words come just days after he hit a major milestone. On November 1, reports confirmed that Cole threw off a mound for the first time since his surgery.
His return cannot come soon enough. The Yankees, who were eliminated in the ALDS, were forced to navigate 2025 with a patchwork rotation. The loss of Cole was a devastating gut-punch before the season even began.
While fans may have to wait until May, Cole’s message is clear: the ace is on his way back, and he is determined to lead the Yankees’ rotation in 2026.
