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20h ago

Gerrit Cole Returns With 97 mph Heat as Yankees Reassign Standout Prospect Carlos Lagrange

The Yankees are prioritizing a careful ramp-up with a late May or early June target for Cole’s regular-season debut.

Mar 18, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; New York Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole (45) throws a pitch against the Boston Red Sox in the first inning during spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
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Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Trey Yesavage talks about his pitches at spring training in Dunedin, Fla., on Feb. 13, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

Overview

  • Cole worked a 10-pitch, scoreless first inning against the Red Sox in Tampa in his first live-game action since Tommy John surgery.
  • StatCast readings showed his fastball averaging about 97 mph and touching 98.7 mph, which manager Aaron Boone called an encouraging sign.
  • Boone reiterated the club’s cautious approach to Cole’s rehab, with the ace expected to open the season on the injured list.
  • Top prospect Carlos Lagrange followed with four shutout innings to trim his spring ERA to 0.66, then was reassigned to minor-league camp.
  • New York won the exhibition 1-0 on an unearned run, and the club continues to manage rotation depth as Carlos Rodón targets an April return.