Cole makes second spring training outing after elbow surgery, allows home run to Bregman

MESA, Ariz. (AP) — New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole allowed an Alex Bregman homer and struck out three over 1 2/3 innings Tuesday in his second spring training outing after Tommy John surgery, an 8-3 win over the Chicago Cubs in their exhibition finale.

The 2023 AL Cy Young Award winner threw 26 pitches, 17 for strikes. Bregman's homer on a 1-0 sinker at the bottom of strike zone, was the only hit allowed by the 35-year-old right-hander.

Cole averaged 96.2 mph with 15 fastballs, down slightly from a 97.1 mph average for 10 fastballs in his first exhibition appearance, a scoreless inning against Boston on March 18.

Cole had Tommy John surgery on March 11 last year with Los Angeles Dodgers team physician Dr. Neal ElAttrache.

His last official outing was in Game 5 of the 2024 World Series that Oct. 30. The six-time All-Star pitched in two spring training games in 2025, on Feb. 28 and March 6.

Cole threw his first bullpen of spring training on Feb. 13 and faced hitters for the first time seven days later.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone projects Cole to make his season debut in late May or early June.

Cole’s 2024 season debut was delayed until June 19 because of nerve irritation and edema in his right elbow. He went 8-5 with a 3.41 ERA in 17 starts for New York and was 1-0 with a 2.17 ERA in five postseason starts.

Cole is signed to a $324 million, nine-year contract through 2028. He has a 153-80 career record and 3.18 ERA over 317 starts with Pittsburgh (2013-17), Houston (2018-19) and the Yankees (starting in 2020).

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New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole throws against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning of a spring training baseball game, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, in Mesa, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole throws against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning of a spring training baseball game, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, in Mesa, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole, center, gets a fist bump from Yankees catcher J.C. Escarra, left, as Yankees first baseman Ben Rice (22) looks on during the second inning of a spring training baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, in Mesa, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole walks off the field after his pitching outing during the second inning of a spring training baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, in Mesa, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole warms up during the first inning of a spring training baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, in Mesa, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

NEW YORK (AP) — Anton Frondell had an assist in his NHL debut, Nick Lardis and Frank Nazar each had a goal and an assist and the Chicago Blackhawks defeated the New York Islanders 4-3 on Tuesday night.

Ilya Mikheyev and Tyler Bertuzzi also had goals for the Blackhawks, who scored four straight goals and snapped a two-game skid. Arvid Soderblom made 44 saves.

Anders Lee, Simon Holmstrom and Calum Ritchie scored for the Islanders, who lost for the third time in four games and fell out of playoff position. New York entered in the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, but Ottawa leapfrogged the Islanders with a victory. The teams are tied with 85 points, but the Senators have played one fewer game.

David Rittich allowed three goals on 12 shots for New York before being replaced at the start of the second period by Ilya Sorokin, who made 11 saves.

Lee opened the scoring in the first minute of play, deflecting Mathew Schaefer’s shot past Soderblom. But the Blackhawks responded with four goals, including three in the first period.

Nazar and Bertuzzi failed to convert on a two-on-none breakaway, but Nazar quickly grabbed the loose puck and found a darting Lardis to even the score at 1.

Frondell, the third overall selection in the 2025 NHL draft, set up Mikheyev at 18:06 of the first period to give Chicago a 2-1 lead.

Bertuzzi deposited a rebound in the final minute of the opening period to extend the Blackhawks’ lead to 3-1.

Holmstrom and Ritchie each scored in the third to trim the Islanders' deficit to one goal, but New York was unable to tie it despite getting 23 shots in the final period.

Islanders defenseman Tony DeAngelo left with an upper-body injury in the second period and did not return. Ryan Pulock did not play for New York for the second straight game.

Blackhawks: Visit the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday.

Islanders: Host the Dallas Stars on Thursday.

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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

New York Islanders' Anders Lee, left, celebrates after scoring a goal as Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Arvid Soderblom, Ryan Greene (20) and Alex Vlasic (72) react during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, March 24, 2026, in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Chicago Blackhawks' Ilya Mikheyev (95) celebrates with teammates Sam Rinzel (6), Anton Frondell (15), Connor Bedard (98) and Wyatt Kaiser after scoring a goal during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, March 24, 2026, in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

The New York Islanders celebrate a goal by Calum Ritchie during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Chicago Blackhawks Tuesday, March 24, 2026, in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Chicago Blackhawks' Anton Frondell (15) fights for control of the puck with New York Islanders' Matthew Schaefer (48) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, March 24, 2026, in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Chicago Blackhawks' Frank Nazar (91) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the New York Islanders Tuesday, March 24, 2026, in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)