Facing an opposing club for the first time since last year’s World Series, Gerrit Cole said it was “a surprise” to make a fourth trip to the mound in his spring debut on Friday -- but a welcome one, because it meant he’d been efficient.

Cole showed off his health and his newest weapon in 3 ¹/₃ innings of a 6-3 win over the Blue Jays at Steinbrenner Field in which he allowed a run and three hits, hit one batter and struck out five. The righty was sharp, returned for a batter in the fourth inning because he was so efficient and finished with 46 pitches (including 33 strikes).

Gerrit Cole’s first start of the spring had the Blue Jays swinging and missing, as the Yankees’ ace struck out five on Friday night at George M. Steinbrenner Field.

Coming into his first start of the 2025 spring training, New York Yankees' ace Gerrit Cole's health is not a concern for the first time since winning the 2023 American League Cy Young Award. He has settled into the role of Yankees ace and is projected to be the Opening Day starter.

Gerrit Cole was strong in his spring training debut and the Yankees used three home runs from their split-squad to get past the Blue Jays, 6-3, on Friday night at George M. Steinbrenner Field.

Starting pitching is supposed to be the New York Yankees' strength for the 2025 season. That is, of course, if their rotation stays healthy. The Yankees have a proven ace in former Cy Young winner Gerrit Cole,