While the Yankees and Mets faced off in Queens on Saturday night, Gerrit Cole had his own version of a Subway Series matchup in a rehab start for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre against Syracuse.
The right-hander looked the best he has in the minors as he nears a return to the major leagues following Tommy John surgery that caused him to miss all of the 2025 season.
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Cole allowed just one run on six hits over 86 pitches through 5.1 innings of work. He struck out six and walked one, while averaging a 97.0 mph fastball and topping out at 99.6 mph, per YES Network’s Conor Foley.
Manager Aaron Boone had said Friday that Cole was expected to make two more starts in the minor leagues before he comes back to New York. And based on Saturday’s performance, it appears the 35-year-old is feeling ready.
Plus, Cole’s anticipated return by the end of May comes at the right time for the Yanks as Max Fried was placed on the 15-day IL on Saturday.
