Yankees ace Gerrit Cole makes season debut with 6 scoreless innings vs. Rays
Cole threw 72 pitches in his first start since the 2024 World Series and touched 99 mph with his fastball.
Gerrit Cole pitched for the New York Yankees for the first time since the 2024 World Series on Friday, making his season debut against the Tampa Bay Rays . Cole threw six scoreless innings, allowing two hits with three walks and two strikeouts. His return came at an ideal point for the Yankees, who went into the weekend’s three-game set trailing the Rays by 4.
5 games in the American League East. Initially, Cole looked like he might have a difficult start, allowing a leadoff single to Chandler Simpson and walking Junior Caminero. However, he regained some footing with a Jonathan Aranda flyout to left field.
Then Simpson helped Cole out by getting picked off second base. Welcome back, Gerrit Cole 👏 He has his first strikeout of 2026! pic.
twitter. com/73ofFyiqHu — MLB (@MLB) May 22, 2026 With a chance to get out of the first inning with no damage, Cole looked like the pitcher who won the 2023 AL Cy Young Award by striking out Yandy Díaz on three pitches. He hit 99 mph with a fastball sandwiched between 97 mph sinkers.