Gerrit Cole Reacts to Being Pulled Early in First Yankees Start in Over a Year
New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone pulled starting pitcher Gerrit Cole after just 72 pitches on Friday.
In his first MLB start since Oct. 30, 2024, New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole was dealing. He allowed just two hits and zero runs over six innings of work and looked just as impressive as he was before having Tommy John surgery that sidelined him for over a year.
But Cole was pulled by manager Aaron Boone before the seventh inning after just 72 pitches. Yankees fans seemed a bit disappointed by the move. Cole may have had another inning left in him, but Boone seemingly didn’t want to tempt fate.
Cole himself was understanding of Boone’s decision, telling reporters after the game he made the right call. “I feel like that was a smart play,” Cole stated . “You know, it may seem easy, but it was a high-pressure, tough game.
I had one quick inning and we made some great defensive plays that led to some of that efficiency as well. Overall, it was good work for what we had out there. ” Gerrit Cole #45 of the New York Yankees looks on during the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium on May 22, 2026 in the Bronx borough of New York City.