Yankees ace Gerrit Cole made a successful return after a 569-day absence due to elbow ligament reconstruction, pitching six shutout innings against the Tampa Bay Rays. The 35-year-old allowed two hits and three walks while striking out two, showing impressive form by averaging 96.1 mph on his fastballs. Backed by a fifth-inning homer from Austin Wells, Cole demonstrated his readiness with a mix of pitches and strong focus during the game. This outing marked his first competitive appearance since the 2024 World Series.
