Gerrit Cole allowed one run and struck out three batters over 1 2/3 innings in the New York Yankees' 8-3 win over the Chicago Cubs in Tuesday's spring training finale at Sloan Park in Mesa, Arizona. The 35-year-old right-hander, returning from Tommy John surgery, averaged 96.3 mph on his fastball. Yankees manager Aaron Boone praised Cole's sharpness.
Mesa, Ariz. – Gerrit Cole took the mound for the New York Yankees in the final game of 2026 spring training against the Chicago Cubs at Sloan Park. The veteran pitcher, sidelined since Game 5 of the 2024 World Series due to Tommy John surgery on his right elbow in March 2025, permitted just one run on 26 pitches. He struck out three in 1 2/3 innings as the Yankees secured an 8-3 victory. Chicago's Alex Bregman provided the lone damage, launching a sinker 413 feet for a home run in the first inning with an exit velocity of 104.1 mph. Dansby Swanson also connected solidly, lining out at 105.2 mph in the second. Cole mixed his full repertoire, including a four-seamer that topped 98 mph, knuckle curve, slider, sinker, changeup and cutter, landing 17 pitches for strikes and throwing first-pitch strikes to four of six hitters. His fastball drew six swings and two whiffs. 'Good pitch, better swing, and that’s the way it goes with good players sometimes,' Cole said. 'I had some good shapes and some good spots, so all-in-all, pretty good day.' Yankees manager Aaron Boone noted the outing as a positive step. 'I thought he was sharp,' Boone said. 'I thought he was good, I thought he was in control and it’s another good step in the process.' Cole expressed renewed enjoyment for the game. 'I had fun out there again,' he said. 'I think there’s maybe a little greater appreciation for the game – the level of talent, the level of intensity and the demand of the game. It demands your focus, it demands your preparation, and I enjoy that.' He holds a 3.12 ERA over five seasons with New York and ranks among active pitchers with at least 150 career wins, alongside Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer. Cole plans minor league rehab starts after more work in Tampa, Florida, targeting a late May or early June return and skipping Opening Day in San Francisco. He highlighted the team's health, knocking on a bat for luck: 'We had a remarkably healthy spring. That’s really encouraging. That’s great. The balance of the roster is good.'
