(Photo credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images)

New York Yankees ace right-hander Gerrit Cole threw for the first time since undergoing Tommy John surgery, making 20 tosses on flat ground on Monday afternoon.

Cole felt optimistic after the throws in the outfield at Yankee Stadium. The session came exactly five months after he had the surgery in which an internal brace also was inserted into his pitching arm.

'It's a big one, the first day throwing,' Cole told reporters before New York's game against the Minnesota Twins. 'I've been building up to it for a few weeks, so it's nice to get outside and get it accomplished and have it go well.'

Cole injured his arm during a March 6 exhibition game against the Twins in which he was torched for six runs in 2 2/3 innings. He subsequently underwent tests that confirmed the need for Tommy John surgery. It was performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles.

Cole has said he's shooting for a 14-month recovery, which would put him back in the majors in May of the 2026 season. He said it will still be a while before he can throw off the mound.

But just getting to throw a ball again was a feel-good moment for Cole, who turns 35 in September.

'It felt really good today,' Cole said. 'I was fairly accurate and I had a good time.'

New York manager Aaron Boone was pleased with the development.

'I'm excited for him,' Boone said. 'He's done a good job with rehab, and this is one of those cool markers along the way that is significant to hit.'

Cole is a six-time All-Star and won the 2023 American League Cy Young Award. He has won 15 or more games on five occasions -- twice with the Yankees, twice with the Houston Astros and one with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Cole played five seasons with the Pirates (2013-17) and two with the Astros (2018-19) before joining the Yankees on a nine-year, $324 million deal.

Cole is 153-80 with a 3.18 ERA and 2,251 strikeouts in 317 career big-league starts.

--Field Level Media