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2026 Fantasy Baseball Player Profile

The Yankees' ace was lost before the season began, suffering a catastrophic elbow injury in Spring Training that required Tommy John surgery. The procedure included an internal brace, which theoretically shortens the recovery timeline compared to traditional reconstruction. His absence was the defining narrative of the 2025 season, forcing the Yankees to scramble for innings. 

2026 Outlook: Cole enters 2026 on the mend with a target return of late May or early June. He is a high-risk, high-reward fantasy stash. While the internal brace offers hope for a quicker return to form, fantasy managers should expect the Yankees to baby him with strict pitch counts (75-85 pitches) for his first month back. If you have an IL spot, he is worth drafting in the middle rounds, but don't count on him as your SP1 until after the All-Star break. His command is usually the last thing to return, so expect some WHIP volatility in July.