Yankees Activate Gerrit Cole for Friday Debut After 17-Month Layoff

13 articles · Updated · Yahoo Sports · May 20

Friday will mark Gerrit Cole’s first Yankees appearance since Game 5 of the 2024 World Series, with New York activating the 35-year-old instead of giving him another rehab start.
99.6 mph in Triple-A on Saturday helped seal the decision: Cole threw 5 1/3 innings, 86 pitches and 56 strikes, and Boone said he has done everything needed to compete in the majors.
Six rehab starts since April 17 gave Cole 28 strikeouts, three walks and a 5.28 ERA after Tommy John surgery wiped out his entire 2025 season.
The return comes as the Yankees sit 29-19, three games behind the 31-15 Rays in the AL East after losing eight of 12, while Tampa Bay has gone 13-3 in May.

Facing the AL East-leading Rays, can a 35-year-old Cole justify his massive contract after major surgery?

Will Gerrit Cole's return help or hinder Cam Schlitter's unexpected Cy Young campaign?