Gerrit Cole Hits 99.6 mph in 86-Pitch Triple-A Rehab Start as Yankees Near Return
Updated
Updated · ESPN · May 17
Gerrit Cole Hits 99.6 mph in 86-Pitch Triple-A Rehab Start as Yankees Near Return
14 articles · Updated · ESPN · May 17
Cole threw 86 pitches over 5 1/3 innings for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, allowing one run on six hits with six strikeouts in what is likely his next-to-last rehab outing.
99.6 mph marked his top fastball, while he averaged 97 mph and said both his velocity and command are improving as his pitch count climbs from 77 in his previous start.
The 35-year-old right-hander is returning from reconstructive elbow surgery on March 11, 2025, and said it has been about 17 months since he last pitched in the majors.
Aaron Boone said Friday that Cole will probably make one more minor league start before rejoining a Yankees rotation already reshuffled by Max Fried's elbow bone bruise.
After 14 months away, will Gerrit Cole's return require a new pitching strategy, or can his elite velocity alone dominate hitters again?
With their rotation struggling, are the Yankees risking their postseason hopes by being overly cautious with Gerrit Cole's comeback?
Is Gerrit Cole's 99 mph return a medical marvel, or a cautionary tale about the sustainability of modern power pitching?
Gerrit Cole’s 99.6 MPH Comeback: What His Return Means for the Yankees’ Rotation and AL East Hopes
Overview
Gerrit Cole is set to rejoin the New York Yankees' rotation after a strong minor league rehab start for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre against the Syracuse Mets. In his latest outing on May 16, 2026, Cole showed he is ready for the big leagues by throwing 86 pitches over 5 1/3 innings and reaching 99.6 mph with his fastball. This performance highlights his regained arm strength and stamina, signaling that his return will give the Yankees a major boost as they aim to strengthen their pitching staff for the rest of the season.