BASEBALL: Spring training roundup - Yanks' Gerrit Cole makes successful, albeit brief, return to mound

New York Yankees right-hander Gerrit Cole faced outside competition for the first time since the 2024 World Series on Wednesday, taking the mound against the visiting Boston Red Sox during spring training.

Cole, who underwent Tommy John surgery and missed the entire 2025 season, threw 10 pitches to four Boston reserves and minor leaguers in a scoreless first inning. The Yankees scored an unearned run in the eighth and secured a 1-0 victory, managing only one hit off three Boston pitchers.

Cole’s fastball averaged nearly 97 mph. He allowed a lead-off bunt single and a stolen base to Braiden Ward, but Ward was thrown out attempting to steal third, rendering a Jason Delay single harmless. Boston starter Connelly Early impressed, striking out seven Yankees while giving up one hit and two walks over five innings. Early’s ERA dropped to 1.59 in spring action, though he is expected to begin the season in Triple-A Worcester.

Other Spring Training Action:

Cardinals 4, Astros 1 – Jupiter, Fla.

Minor leaguers Tai Peete and Ramon Mendoza hit home runs in the eighth inning to break a 1-1 tie. Brody Moore gave St. Louis an early 1-0 lead with an RBI double. Reliever Kyle Leahy tossed five scoreless innings, striking out six. Houston’s only run came on an RBI groundout by Shay Whitcomb.

Braves 3, Phillies 2 – North Port, Fla.

Atlanta rallied for three runs in the bottom of the seventh, helped by two Phillies errors. Michael Harris II and Luke Williams drove in runs, while rookie Didier Fuentes struck out eight over four scoreless innings. Andrew Painter limited Atlanta to one hit and one walk in four scoreless innings for Philadelphia.

Orioles 3, Blue Jays 2 – Dunedin, Fla.

Ryan Mountcastle and Blaze Alexander drove in first-inning runs, while Adley Rutschman and Mountcastle each had two hits. Jeremiah Jackson homered in the fourth. Albert Suarez pitched four innings, allowing one run on three hits and two walks. Toronto’s Addison Barger hit his third spring homer.

Dodgers 5, Giants 1 – Glendale, Ariz.

Shohei Ohtani struck out four and allowed just one hit in his Cactus League pitching debut. Freddie Freeman and Nick Senzel homered, with Teoscar Hernandez and Mookie Betts adding RBI singles. The game ended an inning early due to extreme heat.

Rockies 8, Reds 6 – Goodyear, Ariz.

Colorado rallied for six runs in the eighth inning to overcome Cincinnati. Ryan Ritter homered in the fifth, while Vimael Machin’s double was the only extra-base hit in the big inning. Jose Quintana struggled, giving up four runs in four innings.

Mariners 7, Brewers 3 – Peoria, Ariz.

Seattle’s Brendan Donovan, Luke Raley, and Randy Arozarena all went deep, accounting for seven runs. Emerson Hancock allowed three runs over 3 2/3 innings. Tyler Black drove in all three Milwaukee runs.

Angels 4, Brewers 3 – Phoenix, Ariz.

Jeimer Candelario’s three-run homer and Denzer Guzman’s solo shot powered Los Angeles. Ryan Johnson gave up one run in five innings, striking out four. Milwaukee’s Luis Rengifo and Jake Bauers each homered.

Angels 7, Reds 4 – Tempe, Ariz.

Josh Lowe hit a go-ahead grand slam in the seventh inning, finishing with five RBIs. Mike Trout and Yoan Moncada added RBI singles. Cincinnati’s solo home runs came from Sal Stewart, JJ Bleday, and Rece Hinds.

Diamondbacks 16, Cubs 8 – Scottsdale, Ariz.

Arizona erupted for 13 runs across the third and fourth innings. Corbin Carroll, Alek Thomas, and Jorge Barrosa homered, while Merrill Kelly allowed two runs in 2 2/3 innings. Cubs briefly led with a five-run third but couldn’t keep up.

Pirates 3, Tigers 1 – Bradenton, Fla.

Braxton Ashcraft allowed one unearned run in 5 1/3 innings, striking out eight. Tyler Callihan hit a solo homer, while Joey Bart and Oneil Cruz drove in runs for Pittsburgh. Detroit’s Casey Mize allowed all three runs in four innings.

Rangers 12, Royals 3 – Surprise, Ariz.

Wyatt Langford hit his fifth spring homer as Texas dominated. Josh Jung went 3-for-3 with a homer and RBI single, while Andrew McCutchen added a three-run shot. Michael Wacha allowed five runs in 3 1/3 innings for Kansas City.

Marlins-Nationals – Palm Beach, Fla.

The game was canceled due to inclement weather. No makeup date has been scheduled.

—Field Level Media/Reuters