Gerrit Cole Continues Rehab with Hudson Valley Renegades as Yankees Return Nears Recent York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole made his second rehab start of the 2026 season with the Hudson Valley Renegades on Thursday night, marking another step in his recovery from Tommy John surgery. The 35-year-old right-hander threw 4 1/3 innings, allowing two earned runs on five hits while striking out four and issuing no walks. He needed just 52 pitches, 42 of which were for strikes, as the Renegades defeated the visiting Brooklyn Cyclones 10–2. Cole, who underwent Tommy John surgery in March 2025, has not appeared in a major league game since spring training of 2024. His rehab assignment with the Renegades follows a simulated game in Fishkill and a start with the Double-A Somerset Patriots on April 17. Speaking after the outing, Cole noted the convenience of Heritage Financial Park, located just over 60 miles north of Yankee Stadium and praised the facilities and atmosphere provided by the Yankees’ minor league affiliate. “I came through the Eastern League, I came through the International League,” Cole said. “It’s nice to observe new parts of the country.” He added that the short travel distance and reduced traffic make Hudson Valley an ideal stop on his road back to the Bronx. While acknowledging that his secondary pitches still necessitate refinement, Cole emphasized progress in executing his fastball down and away. “I wanted to make sure I got some fastballs down. I struggled a little bit with that in Somerset. For the most part, we did. We executed the down-and-away quadrant really well,” he said. “The curveball stayed really sharp. I had a couple of opportunities to change speeds with it…” The Yankees have not announced a specific timetable for Cole’s return to the major league rotation, but his consistent performance in rehab outings suggests he is advancing steadily toward reactivation. Each appearance builds arm strength, sharpens command, and tests his readiness for the demands of big-league hitting. As Cole continues to work through his rehab protocol with the Renegades, Yankees fans and analysts alike will monitor his progression closely. A successful return would bolster New York’s pitching staff significantly, adding a former Cy Young winner and ace to a rotation aiming to contend in the highly competitive American League East. His journey back from injury underscores the meticulous process required to recover from Tommy John surgery, a procedure that has grow increasingly common among pitchers but still demands months of disciplined rehabilitation. For now, Cole remains focused on one outing at a time, using each rehab start to refine his mechanics, rebuild his stamina, and move closer to reclaiming his role as the Yankees’ ace.
43