Trending Now - Gerrit Cole Set for Yankees Return Against Top-ranked Rays
WHO:
Fox News - Gerrit Cole, Yankees manager Aaron Boone, rookie Elmer RodrÃguez, right-handed reliever Yovanny Cruz.
MLB.com - Gerrit Cole, Yankees manager Aaron Boone, rookie Elmer RodrÃguez, right-handed reliever Yovanny Cruz, David Bednar, Aaron Judge, Ben Rice, Amed Rosario, Bo Bichette, Luis Torrens, Max Fried, Cody Bellinger, Jazz Chisholm Jr.
NY Post - Gerrit Cole.
WHAT:
MLB.com - Gerrit Cole's first start since 2024 is confirmed to be against the Rays on Friday.
MLB.com - Cole has a career 3.18 earned run average over nearly 2,000 big league innings.
MLB.com - Cole's 4.66 ERA in Minor League innings includes 28 hits allowed and 28 strikeouts.
MLB.com - Yovanny Cruz had a 3.00 ERA and one save in 15 Triple-A appearances before being added to the active roster.
Fox News - Gerrit Cole is set to rejoin the Yankees and make his first start since 2024 after undergoing Tommy John surgery.
MLB.com - Cole will be activated and start for the Yankees against the Rays, marking his first appearance in a big league game since 2024.
MLB.com - Cole touched 99.6 mph in his most recent Minor League rehab start.
MLB.com - Cole threw 86 pitches (56 strikes) over 5 1/3 innings in a Minor League game.
MLB.com - Cole has worked 29 Minor League innings, allowing 17 runs (15 earned) for a 4.66 ERA.
MLB.com - Yovanny Cruz will be making his Major League debut.
MLB.com - The Yankees lost to the Mets, 7-6, in 10 innings, marking a "terrible road trip" with a 2-7 record.
MLB.com - Ben Rice hit his 15th home run, and Aaron Judge hit his 16th home run.
WHERE:
Fox News - Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York.
MLB.com - Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Syracuse, Moosic, Pennsylvania, Citi Field, Queens, New York.
WHEN:
Fox News - Cole's first start is scheduled for Friday.
MLB.com - Cole's last tracked pitch at 99.6 mph was on August 13, 2023.
MLB.com - The Yankees are set to open a four-game series against the Blue Jays on Monday.
WHY:
MLB.com - Cole is returning after completing his rehabilitation from Tommy John surgery.
MLB.com - The Yankees needed an extra arm in the rotation due to injuries and performance issues.
HOW:
MLB.com - Cole's rehabilitation included six outings, with at least 4 1/3 innings pitched in each.
MLB.com - Cole's rehabilitation included two appearances during Spring Training and 29 Minor League innings.
MLB.com - Boone stated that the decision to activate Cole would be made based on his readiness and the team's needs.
(UPDATED May 20, 2026 04:19 UTC)
Gerrit Cole is set to make his first start since 2024 against the Rays on Friday, following a successful rehabilitation that included six outings where he pitched at least 4 and a third innings each time. Over his career, Cole boasts a solid 3.18 earned run average across nearly 2,000 big league innings, although his Minor League ERA stands at 4.66 with 28 hits allowed and 28 strikeouts. Meanwhile, Yovanny Cruz has been added to the active roster after posting a 3.00 ERA and one save in 15 Triple-A appearances.
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(UPDATED May 19, 2026 23:21 UTC)
Gerrit Cole is set to rejoin the Yankees and make his first start since 2024 after undergoing Tommy John surgery, with his return scheduled for Friday against the Rays at Yankee Stadium. Cole recently touched 99.6 mph in a Minor League rehab start, where he threw 86 pitches over 5 1/3 innings, and the Yankees are looking to bolster their rotation due to injuries and performance issues. Additionally, rookie Yovanny Cruz will be making his Major League debut as the Yankees prepare to open a four-game series against the Blue Jays on Monday.