Gerrit Cole reached 96.9 mph in first live batting practice since Tommy John surgery

Gerrit Cole faced three hitters in his first live batting practice since last March's Tommy John surgery, topping out at 96.9 mph and recording a strikeout, a groundout and a hard line drive.

Gerrit Cole threw live batting practice Friday at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, his first time facing hitters since undergoing Tommy John surgery last March. He was scheduled to throw one inning and about 20 pitches as part of his rehab. The session took place before the New York Yankees' spring training opener in Sarasota, Florida. Cole did not pitch for the Yankees during the 2025 regular season. Key details: - Cole faced three hitters: Trent Grisham, Aaron Judge and Jasson Domínguez. - He struck out Grisham on a 95 mph fastball and induced a groundball from Judge. - Domínguez produced the hardest contact, a line drive that the article said might have split the right‑ and center‑field gap in regular-season action. - Cole's fastest pitch was recorded at 96.9 mph, which the article notes may indicate his velocity was not negatively affected. - Yankees pitching coach Matt Blake said Cole "was sharp" and that it was good to get the first outing under his belt. - Steinbrenner Field was closed to the public, and Cole's wife Amy and their sons, Caden and Everett, watched from the first row. Summary: Cole's first live batting practice since last March combined measurable results on the mound with a controlled, short outing that was framed as an important rehab milestone. The Yankees view the session as a key step toward a possible return, and the team hopes he could rejoin the rotation as early as May.