Gerrit Cole to make first Yankees start since 2024 World Series, Aaron Boone announces

Yankees Activate Gerrit Cole for Friday Start Against Rays

Gerrit Cole will start for the New York Yankees on Friday against the Tampa Bay Rays. Manager Aaron Boone announced the move on Tuesday. The appearance marks Cole’s first outing with the club since Game 4 of the 2024 World Series.

Cole missed the full 2025 season after surgery to repair a torn right UCL. He completed six rehabilitation starts this spring, posting a 5.28 ERA across 29 innings. His most recent outing included a fastball that reached 99.6 mph.

The Yankees have maintained strong starting pitching early in 2026 despite the absence of Cole and an elbow injury to Max Fried that is expected to sideline him for about one month. Boone had weighed whether Cole needed one more rehabilitation appearance before activation.

The club optioned pitcher Elmer Rodriguez to Triple-A and recalled reliever Yovanny Cruz ahead of the decision. Cole is scheduled to face the Rays in what will be his first regular-season start in two years.