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.

Gerrit Cole picked up a baseball on Monday for the first time since undergoing Tommy John surgery with an internal brace in March, marking a critical step in his rehab. The Yankees ace began his throwing program on flat ground about five months post-operation.

Yankees' ace Gerrit Cole made 20 tosses on flat ground at the Stadium on Monday afternoon, being cleared to throw after elbow surgery.