Gerrit Cole Hits 99.6 MPH, Nears Yankees Return Sport By lines May 17, 2026 Gerrit Cole reached 99.6 mph in his sixth Triple-A rehab start Saturday in Moosic, Pennsylvania. Cole is nearing a return to the New York Yankees rotation. What the 99.6 MPH Reading Means for the Yankees Rotation Cole threw 86 pitches over 5⅓ innings for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre against the Syracuse Mets. Cole struck out 6 batters, walked 1, and allowed 1 run on 6 hits. Cole averaged 97 mph with his four-seam fastball and threw 56 of 86 pitches for strikes. Cole had reconstructive elbow surgery on March 11, 2025. Cole said it has been about 17 months since his last MLB appearance. Cole made his first rehab outing on April 17, 2026, at High-A Hudson Valley. Saturday was Cole’s first Triple-A start in the rehab assignment. Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Friday that Cole will likely make one more minor league start. Cole has logged a 4.71 ERA across 28⅔ rehab innings with 28 strikeouts and 3 walks. Cole’s 30-day pitcher rehab clock allows three 10-day extensions after Tommy John surgery. Yankees lefty Max Fried hit the 15-day IL with a left elbow bone bruise this week. New York’s rotation now leans on Carlos Rodón, Cam Schlittler, Will Warren, and Ryan Weathers. Elmer Rodriguez was recalled Saturday to start the Subway Series finale Sunday at the Mets. Related Sports Coverage Holmes, Fried, Snell Injured Ahead of Subway Series Mariners’ Cal Raleigh Hits IL With Oblique Strain Schwarber First to 20 HRs in 2026, On Pace for 72 Source: ESPN.
