As the Winter Meetings draw closer, questions continue to circulate about Gerrit Cole\u2019s readiness for the 2026 season and what version of the All-Star pitcher the New York Yankees can expect. But according to super-agent Scott Boras, there is no room for doubt. In fact, Boras has sounded a warning to the rest of Major League Baseball, as reported by Brendan Kuty of\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cScott Boras said Gerrit Cole feels great and is in great shape, and even sent him video of him pitching the other day,\u201d Kuty shared on X. \u201cHe\u2019s excited\u2026 he has all weapons available to him.\u201d<\/p>\n
Early indications suggest Cole is progressing well in his recovery, a promising sign for a Yankees team that desperately missed its ace throughout 2025. His absence, the result of Tommy John surgery, was a significant setback. New York still managed to finish second in the AL East and advance to the AL Division Series, but ultimately fell to the Toronto Blue Jays, ending their championship hopes.<\/p>\n
Even without Cole, the Yankees posted the fourth-best ERA in MLB, a testament to the depth of their pitching staff. Adding a fully recovered former Cy Young winner back into the rotation could elevate the club to an entirely different level. Before the injury, Cole logged an 8-5 record with a 3.41 ERA over 17 starts in 2024. In 2023, he delivered one of the best seasons of his career with a 15-4 record and a 2.63 ERA across 33 starts.<\/p>\n
Cole has been rehabbing diligently since undergoing surgery, and while he has expressed frustration about missing the entire season, history suggests he has every reason to be optimistic. Several star pitchers have successfully returned from Tommy John surgery, including Jacob deGrom, Justin Verlander, Shohei Ohtani, John Smoltz, and Stephen Strasburg. The recovery is challenging, but the potential to come back even stronger is very real.<\/p>\n
The next few months will be critical as Cole targets readiness for Spring Training. If his rehab continues on its current trajectory, the Yankees could soon regain the leader of their rotation \u2014 a development that would significantly strengthen their pursuit of the franchise\u2019s 28th World Series title.<\/p>\n
For 24-year-old Lily Thompson, a waitress at a modest downtown Portland diner, Monday morning began like any other. She poured coffee, took orders, and greeted guests with her usual warmth\u2014never imagining that a quiet customer in a hoodie and baseball cap would alter the course of her life forever.<\/p>\n
That customer was none other than Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield. Unassuming and polite, Mayfield finished his breakfast without fanfare, thanked Lily for her service, and walked out the door. But what he left behind on the table was no ordinary tip.<\/p>\n
A Folded Receipt\u2026 and a New Beginning<\/strong><\/p>\n After Mayfield left, Lily found a folded receipt tucked beneath the salt shaker. Expecting a typical gratuity, she opened it\u2014and froze. Inside was a handwritten note and something that would reduce her to tears.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you for your kindness and hard work. People like you are the backbone of this country. Keep going\u2014you\u2019re stronger than you know.\u201d \u2013 Baker Mayfield<\/p>\n Alongside the note: a $10,000 tip. And a personal offer to pay off her student loans in full.<\/p>\n Coworkers rushed to comfort Lily as the weight of the moment sank in. \u201cI was speechless,\u201d she told reporters. \u201cI\u2019ve been juggling two jobs and caring for my younger brother while chipping away at debt. That note didn\u2019t just help financially\u2014it made me feel seen.\u201d<\/p>\n From Quiet Struggles to Bold Dreams<\/strong><\/p>\n Lily\u2019s story quickly captured hearts nationwide. What had begun as a simple meal turned into a viral sensation, with fans flooding social media to praise Mayfield\u2019s compassion. The hashtag<\/p>\n #BeLikeBaker began trending, encouraging everyday acts of kindness in his honor.<\/p>\n For Lily, the gesture meant more than money\u2014it marked the beginning of a new chapter. With her student loans erased, she\u2019s now pursuing her dream of launching a nonprofit caf\u00e9 that supports working students.<\/p>\n Mayfield Responds With Humility<\/strong><\/p>\n When asked about the now-famous tip during a press conference, Mayfield shrugged off the attention.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not about how much you give. It\u2019s about noticing the people who make life better\u2014often without credit. Lily reminded me of that.\u201d<\/p>\n A Ripple Felt Across the Nation<\/strong><\/p>\n What could\u2019ve been a private act of kindness has become a rallying cry for compassion. Fans, teammates, and strangers alike have shared their own stories, inspired by Mayfield\u2019s gesture.<\/p>\n As for Lily, she keeps the handwritten note tucked inside her journal. \u201cIt\u2019s my reminder,\u201d she said, smiling. \u201cThat even when life feels heavy, there are still people out there rooting for you.\u201d<\/p>\n In a world too often defined by headlines of division, Baker Mayfield\u2019s quiet moment in a Portland diner reminds us that greatness isn\u2019t just measured in yards gained\u2014but in lives touched.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" As the Winter Meetings draw closer, questions continue to circulate about Gerrit Cole\u2019s readiness for the 2026 season and what version of the All-Star pitcher the New York Yankees can expect. But…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11275","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-hot-news"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t