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NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 01: Gerrit Cole #45 of the New York Yankees looks on from the dugout in the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium on May 01, 2026 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

The New York Yankees lost 3-2 to the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards on Monday night. It was their fourth straight loss, and the problems were familiar. The offense went quiet again. The bullpen could not finish the job. Another strong start slipped away.

It was another night to forget in Baltimore.

But before the game, Aaron Boone watched something that gave the Yankees a real reason for optimism. Something that could change the complexion of their rotation before the month is over.

Gerrit Cole is getting closer.

Yankees Get Cole Update

Cole made his latest rehab start with Double-A Somerset on Sunday night, and the signs were encouraging.

The Yankees ace went five innings, threw 77 pitches, and struck out eight. He finished the outing with a 99 mph fastball that caught Boone’s attention.

The Yankees manager did not hide his satisfaction.

“Really good,” Boone said of the outing. “Ripped his last heater 99 for another punch. I think it was a little more of a competitive Gerrit trying to get outs. I thought he threw the ball really well. Stuff was really good. Another good step for him.”

Boone on Cole’s Command

Cole is not just getting through rehab appearances. He is starting to look more like himself. For pitchers recovering from Tommy John surgery, command is historically the final piece to click back into place. Cole’s is already there.

Boone addressed that specifically. “I think that’s in a pretty good place,” he said. “I think he probably stuff-wise ramped it up maybe even another notch Sunday. Hopefully now as he continues to build his pitch count, he can continue to do that through his next couple.”

Cole needs a couple more outings before the Yankees bring him back, with the end of the month the working target.

GettyAaron Boone.

Cole’s Return Creates a Yankees Decision

The good news about Cole comes with a decision the Yankees will eventually have to make.

Ryan Weathers and Will Warren have both pitched well enough to keep the rotation conversation interesting. Weathers made that even clearer Monday night, taking a no-hit bid into the seventh inning and giving the Yankees 6 1/3 strong innings before the game turned late.

Someone has to lose a spot. Someone has to shift roles. The Yankees can call that a good problem, and it is. But it is still a problem they will have to solve.

Cole’s return also changes the way this staff looks at full strength. The Yankees depth has held up. Adding Cole back into that group gives New York a different kind of ceiling.

TAMPA, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 28: Gerrit Cole #45 of the New York Yankees throws a pitch in the second inning during a spring training game against the Toronto Blue Jays at George M. Steinbrenner Field on February 28, 2025 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images)

Final Word for the Yankees

Cole is starting to look more like himself. The news comes at a time when his team could use something to feel good about.

The command is sharp. The velocity is there. Cole will be back soon.