Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole completed a minor-league rehabilitation outing Friday but will require several more starts before returning to the major-league roster.

Cole is the cornerstone of the New York Yankees rotation. His return is critical for the team's pitching depth as he continues to recover from Tommy John surgery.

The outing took place Friday night at Double-A Somerset, the minor-league affiliate of the Yankees. During the appearance, Cole pitched four and one-third innings [4]. He threw around 45 pitches [5] as part of his structured return to professional competition.

Following the appearance, Cole expressed satisfaction with his performance. "I had a solid rehab outing," Cole said [1].

Despite the positive start, the team is not rushing the process. Manager Aaron Boone indicated that the pitcher is not yet ready for the rigors of a major-league schedule. "He’ll need several more rehab outings before he’s back with us," Boone said [1].

The process of returning from Tommy John surgery requires a gradual increase in workload to build arm strength. By utilizing the Double-A level, the Yankees can monitor Cole's velocity and recovery metrics without the immediate pressure of a big-league game. This cautious approach aims to prevent reinjury during the final stages of his rehabilitation.

Cole's progress is being tracked closely as the Yankees prepare for their Saturday game against the Royals. While the first outing provided a baseline for his current health, the timeline for his official activation remains dependent on his performance in the subsequent starts.

“"I had a solid rehab outing."”

The decision to keep Cole in the minors for several more outings indicates a conservative medical approach. By prioritizing arm strength over a rapid return, the Yankees are mitigating the risk of a secondary injury, ensuring their ace is fully durable for the remainder of the season.