Cole allowed one run on two hits while striking out six against Toronto in his fourth Grapefruit League start.

EDGE Analysis

Cole was much sharper Tuesday than in his previous spring start during which he allowed six earned runs over two innings. Per George A. King III of the New York Post, the right-hander hit 100 mph with his final pitch of the third inning against the Blue Jays. Cole threw 55 pitches in the outing -- 36 for strikes -- as he nears readiness for taking the mound Opening Day.

Cole pitched two innings in a spring start against Detroit on Thursday, allowing six runs on six hits and one walk. He struck out three.

EDGE Analysis

Cole was slated to go three innings in his third Cactus League appearance, but he didn't make it that far. The damage was primarily inflicted by Travis Demeritte and Miguel Cabrera, who hit back-to-back homers against him in the first inning and then repeated the feat in the second. For what it's worth, Cole indicated that he had a fever earlier in the week that he thought "might have been strep," per Bryan Hoch of MLB.com. Whether or not the illness factored into Thursday's shelling, there's little reason to be concerned about the outcome of a spring-training game.

Cole held the Tigers scoreless over 2.2 innings Saturday, allowing two hits and striking out two.

EDGE Analysis

Cole looked every bit the ace the Yankees are paying him to be, throwing 21 of 30 pitches for strikes in the efficient outing. The 29-year-old has yet to allow a run in 3.2 innings of Grapefruit League play.

Cole pitched a scoreless inning in his Yankees debut Monday, allowing one walk and striking out two batters in a tie with Pittsburgh.

EDGE Analysis

Cole allowed a walk to Cole Tucker after getting ahead in the count 0-2, but he was otherwise impressive in his first game action with the team that signed him to a massive nine-year contract in the offseason. He threw 20 total pitches -- 12 of which were strikes -- and induced a pop out in addition to his two strikeouts.

Cole will make his first spring training start against Pittsburgh on Monday, Pete Caldera of The Bergen Record reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cole's exhibition debut will come in the Yankees' third game of the spring. The 29-year-old indicated Wednesday that he will be limited to one inning in the contest. It is a foregone conclusion that Cole will start on Opening Day after New York signed him to a record-setting nine-year, $324 million contract in the offseason.

Cole threw 27 pitches, all of which were fastballs and changeups, during a simulated game Sunday, Brendan Kuty of NJ Advance Media reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cole's simulated game came in front of teammates, media and a crowd of more than 1,000 fans who gave him a standing ovation at the end of the session. The Yankees' prized offseason signing plans to hurl one more simulated game before taking part in contests during spring training.

Cole agreed to nine-year contract worth $324 million with the Yankees on Tuesday, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 29-year-old will receive $36 million per year from New York after finishing a close second to former teammate Justin Verlander for the American League Cy Young award. Cole delivered a 2.50 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 326:48 K:BB over 212.1 innings during 2019 and is set to serve as the Yankees' ace for the foreseeable future. The deal sets a record in average annual value and contract length for a pitcher, per Mark Feinsand of MLB.com.

Cole rejected a qualifying offer from the Astros on Thursday, making him a free agent, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cole's decision to reject the one-year, $17.8 million qualifying offer is not a surprising one, as the right-hander is expected to command a hefty price tag in free agency. The Astros will now be able to receive draft-pick compensation if he signs elsewhere after posting a 2.50 ERA with a 326:48 K:BB in 2019.

Cole received a qualifying offer from the Astros on Monday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

EDGE Analysis

The decision to tender the offer was a no-brainer for Houston, and Cole's decision to refuse the one-year, $17.8 million deal will be equally obvious. The Astros are now set to receive draft-pick compensation should he sign elsewhere.

Cole will start Game 1 of the World Series against the Nationals on Tuesday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cole had been behind Justin Verlander in the Astros' postseason rotation but will jump ahead of him due to Verlander pitching in the ALCS on Friday. Cole has allowed a single run in 22.2 innings of work this postseason, striking out 32 batters while walking eight.