Yankees ace Gerrit Cole had an internal brace put in his right elbow as part of Tommy John surgery on March 11 and while not projecting a date for his mound return understands the usual rehabilitation

Gerrit Cole pitches every night before going to bed. He closes his eyes and pictures being on the mound at Yankee Stadium because visualizing is all he’ll be able to do until 2026, at the earliest, as he recovers from Tommy John surgery.

His right elbow scarred and his season ruined before it began, Gerrit Cole has not allowed Tommy John surgery to stop him from pitching. “I still pitch before I go to bed every night,” the Yankees’ sidelined ace said Monday.