Gerrit Cole set for Yankees return

The New York Yankees are set to welcome back ace Gerrit Cole for his first major league start in over a year.

Cole, the reigning Cy Young winner, has completed a lengthy rehabilitation process following Tommy John surgery.

He is scheduled to take the mound this Friday in a critical divisional matchup against the Tampa Bay Rays.

The return of the star pitcher provides a significant boost to a Yankees rotation that has struggled with depth and injuries early in the season.