Yankees ace returns to the mound after year-long absence
Gerrit Cole made his long-awaited return to the mound Friday night, drawing fans to Yankee Stadium hours before first pitch as the Yankees opened a key AL East matchup against the Tampa Bay Rays.
More Stories
The ace is back in the Bronx.
Gerrit Cole made his long-awaited return to the mound Friday night, drawing fans to Yankee Stadium hours before first pitch as the Yankees opened a key AL East matchup against the Tampa Bay Rays.
At 30-21, the Yankees have stayed near the top of the division, despite spending more than a year without their ace. Now, fans are hoping Cole’s return can help spark a turnaround as the team chases the Rays for first place in the division.
“I think they need him… I think he adds something to the team,” one fan told News 12 outside the stadium.
Four hours before first pitch, Yankees superfan Alyssa Idaspe and her boyfriend were already lined up outside the ballpark for their first trip to Yankee Stadium this season — timing it perfectly to see Cole’s return.
“How lucky is that,” Idaspe said.
The 35-year-old pitcher had not appeared in a game since Oct. 30, 2024 — Game 5 of the World Series, when the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Yankees to win the championship.
During spring training the following season, Cole suffered a torn UCL that required Tommy John surgery, sidelining the former Cy Young winner for the entire 2025 season.
Fans say the Yankees’ pitching rotation has struggled to find consistency without him.
Now, Yankees fans are hoping their ace can help close the gap in the AL East standings.
“I’m gonna be very excited tonight, and let’s get that big win tonight!” another fan added.
The Yankees entered Friday night sitting 4 1/2 games behind the Rays for first place in the division.
