Gerrit Cole’s return to game action went about as smoothly as the reigning AL Cy Young winner could have hoped.
Pitching for the double-A Somerset Patriots on Tuesday, Cole pitched 3.1 scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and no walks while racking up five strikeouts.
He threw 45 pitches — 34 for strikes — before exiting after striking out the leadoff hitter in the fourth inning.
The Patriots were playing the Hartford Yard Goats, the double-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies.
Cole allowed two singles, one in the first inning and one in the third, to Yard Goats hitters, Adael Amador and Braiden Ward.
He has been working his way back from nerve inflammation and edema that forced him to shut down in spring training and start the year on the injured list.
The 33-year-old was unanimously named the AL Cy Young winner in 2023 after posting a 2.63 ERA over 209 innings, racking up 222 strikeouts and 15 wins.
Pitchers have 30 days to return to the MLB roster once starting their rehab appearance, so the latest Cole could re-join the Yankees would be July 2.