Gerrit Cole returns to Yankees rotation after lengthy recovery from elbow surgery

New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole made his return to the major league rotation on Friday, more than 14 months after undergoing reconstructive elbow surgery on March 11, 2025. Cole delivered six shutout innings against the Tampa Bay Rays, allowing just two hits and striking out two batters while throwing 72 pitches and consistently touching the upper-90s with his fastball. Despite Cole's strong outing, the Yankees lost 4-2 after the Rays scored four runs in the eighth inning.