New York Yankees Ace Gerrit Cole Makes 2026 Debut
Gerrit Cole started for the New York Yankees today. The best pitcher on the planet, whom the Yankees are paying $324 million, hurt his elbow last spring and had reconstructive elbow surgery. He missed all of last season, and after a scoreless 10-pitch performance today, Yankees fans everywhere are breathing a sigh of relief.
The start was uneventful for Gerrit Cole. He went to the bullpen to throw after his one inning. He touched 99 miles per hour today and averaged 96 miles per hour. He threw all of his pitches and is expected to be back with the Yankees by early June. How many innings do you think Gerrit Cole will pitch this year?
Gerrit Cole Saga
Many people know the saga of Gerit Cole. On Dec. 16, 2019, the Yankees signed him to a franchise record nine-year, $324 million contract, the largest contract total in MLB history for a pitcher. He was signed to be the ace of the Yankees’ starting pitching staff, and he paid immediate dividends.
Gerrit Cole has been good to great for the Yankees, starting with the 2020 season. Over his years with the Yankees, he has consistently won big games, struck out many batters, been named to the All-Major League Baseball team, and won the 2023 Cy Young Award. However, he reported elbow discomfort during spring training in 2024. He was placed on the 60-day disabled list. In spring training 2025, he hurt his elbow. He had reconstructive elbow surgery and missed the entire 2025 season. Today was the first time he pitched in a year.
What Did Cole Do In the Game?
Gerrit Cole threw only 10 pitches in one inning of work today against the Boston Red Sox. On the first pitch of the game, Braiden Ward bunted back to him successfully. Cole ran to first base and was forced to slide to avoid the runner.
In all, Gerrit Cole threw four four-seam fastballs today and averaged 96.9 miles per hour on them. He threw two each of his knuckle curve, his sinker, and his slider. The knuckle curve broke a lot, though he did not strike any batters out with it. The sinker averaged 97.6 miles per hour. The slider moved well and averaged 90.2 miles per hour.
The second batter Gerrit Cole faced, Kristian Campbell, flew out to right field. Then Ward, who stole second base, was caught stealing third base for the second out of the inning. Jason Delay singled, so that caught stealing saved a run. Then, Nathan Hickey grounded out. Because the first baseman went for the ball, Garrit Cole had to cover first base.
The Game
The game was scoreless through six innings as Connelly Early pitched very well in this game. He looked ready for the season, but might get squeezed out of the deep Boston starting rotation. Gerrit Cole was replaced by Harrison Cohen, who was then replaced by Carlos Lagange, and then Fernando Cruz. Of course, the Yankees hoped they would win the Gerrit Cole debut, but it was clear this Spring Training game was going to be decided, as they often are, by the substitutes.
Parting Shots
When Gerrit Cole comes back, he will join Carlos Rodon (who is also hurt), Max Fried, Cam Schlittler, Luis Gil, and Will Warren in a stacked Yankee rotation. The top three pitchers, in particular, might be the best top three a baseball team has ever had. Gerrit Cole seems ahead of schedule. This is not surprising.
