Gerrit Cole's return from Tommy John surgery hit another rocky patch this week—and this time, it wasn't just the scoreboard that had fans talking.

The New York Yankees' ace, a former Cy Young winner and six-time All-Star, made a rehab start for the High-A Hudson Valley Renegades. And to put it mildly, it didn't go as planned. Over 4 1/3 innings, Cole surrendered five earned runs to the Winston-Salem Dash—a tough outing by any measure.

The real controversy came after White Sox prospect Caleb Bonemer took Cole deep for a home run. When Bonemer stepped back into the batter's box for his next at-bat, Cole drilled him with a 97 mph fastball on the very first pitch. The moment immediately sparked debate among fans: Was it intentional?

Social media lit up with reactions. One fan compared Cole to Framber Valdez, calling it "charmin ultra soft" behavior. Another wrote, "I get that it's part of the game, but when you're Gerrit Cole and you drill some kid trying to make it, I think you should show some worry."

For context, Cole has been sidelined for the entire 2025 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery. The Yankees are hopeful he'll return to the big leagues by late May or early June. This rehab start was supposed to be a stepping stone—but instead, it's left fans questioning both his form and his composure.

On the bright side for Yankees supporters, if there's one thing Cole has proven throughout his career, it's the ability to bounce back. This rough patch at High-A might sting now, but it's just one chapter in a long season ahead.