Yankees ace Gerrit Cole pitches a scoreless inning in his first live game action following Tommy John surgery.

Today, as Gerrit Cole approached, Cam Schlittler and Carlos Rodón were conversing with several visitors. Cole was already dressed in a hoodie and shorts, his expression focused like that of a player in competition. "Hey, Gerrit. Excited?" Schlittler remarked, "Big day."

No reply was heard. Returning to live action 372 days after right elbow TJ surgery, Cole's full attention was fixed on the pitcher's mound. Ultimately, in the Yankees' 1-0 victory over the Red Sox, he delivered a substantial and scoreless first inning.

Cole employed his classic high-leg kick delivery for the first time in a Grapefruit League game. Boston's Braiden Ward tested the 2023 AL Cy Young Award winner with the first pitch—he tapped a bunt toward the first-base line, resulting in an infield single. Ward had just showcased Rick Henderson-esque flair last week following a spring training stolen-base record celebration, making this a rude welcome for Cole, as it was his first time facing a lineup since Game 5 of the 2024 World Series against the Dodgers.

“That caught me a bit off guard, but it was a good challenge,” Cole said. He joked that due to today's start, he missed his first pitcher fielding practice of this spring training. “I ended up completing the workout, so all is good.”

Catcher Austin Wells stated: “I’m sure he scared everyone in the stadium when he slid on the first pitch of his comeback, but I admire the hustle.”

Ward stole second base, his 19th successful steal of this spring training, but Cole induced Kristian Campbell to fly out to left field, and Wells then caught Ward attempting to steal third with a pickoff. Jason Delay hit a single to left field, but Cole got Nathan Hickey to ground out and personally covered first base to finish the inning.

Excluding additional bullpen pitches, this appearance required 10 pitches (7 strikes), a decent return after months of arduous rehabilitation. Cole's six fastballs averaged 97.1 mph, with a peak of 98.7 mph. He also displayed a knuckle curve and a slider, describing the feel as “a bit rusty.” He hopes to refine his precision in his next outing, though the specific schedule is yet to be determined.

“I thought he looked good,” Manager Aaron Boone said. “He looked strong, composed; right away he nearly made a great defensive play that gave us a scare, but he quickly settled in. Suddenly, you're dealing with a speedy runner needing to control the basepaths, while also attempting your first pitches in this environment. I think he handled it well.”

The Yankees previously indicated they expect Cole to return to the major leagues around late May or early June. When asked about possibly returning earlier, Cole replied: “No changes, everything is proceeding as planned.”

Boone noted that having Cole participate in a spring training game rather than continuing simulated workouts was a challenge he seemed ready for. “We didn’t have to do this,” Boone said. “He was prepared, and I think it’s valuable. Playing a spring training game before ten thousand spectators is, in a sense, a real game with more uncontrollable factors; I believe this is an important part of the rehab process. During recovery, you still need to experience these things, need different levels of adrenaline stimulation.”

Cole stated he will not travel with the team to San Francisco and Seattle for the season-opening road trip, but plans to attend the Yankees Stadium home opener on April 3. Afterwards, he will make minor league rehab starts in Tampa and elsewhere, eventually returning to today’s position—the pitcher’s mound with Yankees teammates behind him.

“For me, this was a special day, to compete again and feel the support from the crowd,” Cole said. “That felt good.”