Gerrit Cole ripped by fans after hitting prospect who homered off him in High-A start
Gerrit Cole's return from injury isn't going too great, even at the High-A level.
Gerrit Cole is facing some heat online after a rough rehab start for the High-A Hudson Valley Renegades. The New York Yankees starter is aiming to return to MLB this season after missing the entire 2025 campaign following Tommy John surgery. If his latest start was any indication, he's certainly not ready.
Cole, a former Cy Young winner, gave up five earned runs in 4 1/3 innings against the Winston-Salem Dash. That includes a home run by top White Sox prospect Caleb Bonemer. When Bonemer returned to the plate after his dinger, Cole made him pay for it.
Cole hit Bonemer with an errant pitch, drawing outrage from fans on social media. We don't know whether it was intentional, but it sure didn't look good. HIGH-A: White Sox prospect Caleb Bonemer hit a home run and a single off a sloppy-looking Gerrit Cole.
Next plate appearance, Cole plunks him first pitch with a 97mph heater. Was it intentional? Cole ultimately got slapped for 5 earned runs in 4 1/3 innings and took the loss.