Yankees' Gerrit Cole Hits White Sox Prospect with 97 mph Pitch in Rehab Start

New York Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole hit Chicago White Sox prospect Caleb Bonemer with a pitch during a rehab start Tuesday night for High-A Hudson Valley.

The 35-year-old Cole, recovering from Tommy John surgery in March 2025 that sidelined him for the entire season, allowed five earned runs and seven hits over 4.1 innings against Winston-Salem. Bonemer crushed a home run off Cole's fifth pitch of the game in the second inning, then singled in his next at-bat.

In the fifth inning, Bonemer came to the plate again. Cole's first pitch, clocked at 97 mph, struck him relatively high on the body. The location and timing fueled speculation about intent.

A video clip spread on social media, prompting former MLB pitcher Seth McClung to accuse Cole of doing it on purpose.

It's unclear if Cole meant to hit Bonemer. The six-time All-Star has struggled in four rehab starts this season across High-A and Double-A, posting a 5.79 ERA and 0-1 record in 18.2 innings.