Yankees' Gerrit Cole Begins Throwing Rehab Five Months After Tommy John Surgery

Yankees ace Gerrit Cole has taken a significant step in his recovery from Tommy John surgery by making 20 throws off flat ground, marking his first day of throwing after weeks of preparation. The surgery included the insertion of an internal brace to protect his elbow and promote stability, with rehabilitation expected to last about 14 months. Cole, 34, is aiming to throw from a mound by the end of the year before shutting down for the offseason training phase. Despite his delayed 2024 season debut due to nerve irritation and edema, Cole remains actively involved with the team and has been praised by Yankees manager Aaron Boone for his diligent rehab efforts. Cole is under a $324 million, nine-year contract through 2028 and has logged nearly 2,000 innings over 12 seasons, including postseason appearances. His progress is seen as a positive milestone both for him personally and for the Yankees as they seek to improve their performance this summer.