New York Yankees ace Cole reports positive progress in post-surgery rehab, expected to pitch in spring training but team is not rushing his return.

New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole mentioned that he might appear in Grapefruit League games before the conclusion of spring training, which would be a key step in his recovery from Tommy John surgery. Nonetheless, he stressed that the timetable for his return has not shifted, maintaining the 14 to 18 months post-op schedule, with the expected comeback window from June to October. The team continues to evaluate and leans toward a June return to the field.

“The goal has always been 14 to 18 months,” Cole said during his first bullpen session since reporting this week. “The research supports this, and the cases we look at align with it. That’s always been the plan.”

Cole made further progress during his bullpen session on the 14th. He revealed that he adjusted his pitching motion by raising both hands above his head, instead of keeping them in front of his chest as before — a change he actually began experimenting with last summer. He described this bullpen session as “well executed, overall pretty good,” and said he enjoys the rhythm it brings.

Cole believes his elbow is in better shape than it was two years ago, and Yankees manager Aaron Boone agrees. “Everything looks smooth, the control is solid, and he appears to be in excellent condition,” Boone described. “He’s like a diver off a high platform who enters the water with almost no splash — that’s the feeling Cole gives on the mound.” On February 12, Boone mentioned that both Cole and Carlos Rodón, who also had offseason elbow surgery, could pitch in this year’s spring training games. However, Boone emphasized that the team will remain cautious with their ace.

“The last thing we want is to rush him because he looks good right now at the start of the season,” Boone said. “The fact is he didn’t pitch at all last year and underwent surgery, so we need to give him enough time to build strength gradually and smartly. Even if everything goes perfectly, we won’t push him to return prematurely.”