The New York Yankees' Gerrit Cole looked to be in top form on Friday when he struck out 10 in a rehab appearance for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

In 4 1/3 innings, the reigning American League Cy Young Award winner gave up one run, which was unearned, on two hits and no walks against Rochester, a Washington Nationals farm team.

Cole is working his way back from a right elbow ailment that has sidelined him since spring training.

The Friday rehab appearance was Cole's third. He threw 3 1/3 scoreless innings for Double-A Somerset on June 4, then tossed 4 2/3 innings of one-run ball for Somerset on Sunday.

New York manager Aaron Boone said before Cole's latest outing that the 33-year-old right-hander might not need another turn in the minors depending upon how things went with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Cole was the AL leader in ERA (2.63) and innings pitched (209) in 2023, when he finished with a 15-4 record in 33 starts.

The six-time All-Star is set to start his fifth season with the Yankees. He previously pitched for the Pittsburgh Pirates (2013-17) and the Houston Astros (2018-19).

In 300 career starts, Cole owns a 145-75 record with a 3.17 ERA.