Yankees make it official: Gerrit Cole is coming to the rescue
The ace right-hander will be make his first start since the 2024 World Series on Friday
NEW YORK —It would be an understatement to say the Yankees have missed Gerrit Cole since the end of 2024, so let’s cut to the core of the club’s announcement that their ace will be on the mound Friday against the Rays. What version of Cole will the Yankees be getting now that his 14-month rehab from Tommy John surgery is complete? Will he be a work in progress for the rest of the season, as is the case for many pitchers whose elbows have been reconstructed, or will Cole pick up where he left off at his Cy Young Award-winning level in 2023?
The fact that Cole was clocked at nearly 100-mph in his final rehab start at Class-AAA bodes well. The surging velocity couldn’t come at a better time, as the Yankees will face their toughest opponent, and greatest challenge, of the young season this weekend. For Wednesday night’s AL East meeting between the Yankees and the Blue Jays is sitting at 8 total runs on BetMGM .
Our complete BetMGM Sportsbook review provides an in-depth guide on how to use their platform. The Rays aren’t just in first place in the East, they have the American League’s best record. They swept the Bombers in early April and haven’t looked back.
Cole understands the timing better than anyone. It was he, not the Yankees, who pushed up his activation date. The club originally planned to have Cole make one more minor league appearance this weekend before Cole approached manager Aaron Boone with an all-systems-go announcement.