Gerrit Cole is looking to return to the New York Yankees next season, and he cleared a procedural hurdle on Monday.

Gerrit Cole took a significant step in his recovery from Tommy John surgery on Monday, as the Yankees’ sidelined ace began his throwing program. The pitcher, now sporting a throwback mustache on his upper lip and scar across his right elbow,

Yankees ace Gerrit Cole took another step in his recovery from Tommy John surgery on his right elbow by making 20 throws off flat ground on Monday. “It felt really good today,” Cole said before New York opened a three-game series against the Minnesota Twins at Yankee Stadium.