Yankees news: Gerrit Cole faces hitters, looks excellent

February 21, 2026 - 10:16

New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole took a significant and encouraging step in his recovery process on Saturday, facing hitters in a live batting practice session for the first time this spring. The reigning American League Cy Young Award winner reportedly looked sharp and impressive, delivering approximately 20 pitches to teammates including Oswaldo Cabrera. His performance drew immediate praise from team captain Aaron Judge, who called the session "pretty special" and noted Cole's pitches were "right on the money."

While Cole's progress headlines the day, the Yankees officially opened their Grapefruit League schedule with a 12-6 loss to the Detroit Tigers. The result, however, was secondary to the opportunity for evaluation. Right-hander Elmer Rodríguez was a standout, striking out four batters over two perfect innings of relief. Other pitchers vying for roles, including Clayton Beeter and Yoendrys Gómez, had more mixed results in their outings.

The club remains cautiously optimistic about Cole's timeline, emphasizing a deliberate build-up with no current structural concerns in his elbow. His successful session marks the most positive sign yet for a rotation counting on his return to front-line form. The Yankees continue their spring schedule with a focus on health and competition, as several pitchers look to solidify their cases for the final roster spots ahead of Opening Day.