New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole took another big step toward his return to the mound, striking out eight batters over five innings in his fifth minor league rehab start on Sunday. The 35-year-old right-hander is steadily working his way back from reconstructive elbow surgery, and this latest outing for Double-A Somerset showed plenty of promise.

Facing the Reading Fightin' Phils—a Philadelphia Phillies affiliate—Cole allowed three runs (two earned) on four hits and one walk. He threw 51 of his 77 pitches for strikes, a solid increase from the 69 pitches he tossed in his previous rehab start last Tuesday. Through 23 2/3 innings across his rehab appearances, Cole now holds a 5.32 ERA with 22 strikeouts and just two walks.

The game didn't start smoothly for the six-time All-Star. In the first inning, Bryan Rincon doubled and scored on a single by Alex Binelas. The second inning brought more trouble when Dylan Campbell walked, stole second, and came home on Dante Nori's single. Nori later scored on a costly double error by left fielder Jackson Castillo, who let the ball bounce past him before making a wild throw to third.

But Cole showed his championship mettle by retiring the final 10 batters he faced, striking out five of them. That kind of finish is exactly what Yankees fans have been waiting to see from their 2023 AL Cy Young Award winner, who underwent surgery on March 11 of last year.

Cole began his rehab assignment on April 17, and while position players are limited to 20 days, pitchers get 30 days—and those recovering from Tommy John surgery can receive three consecutive 10-day extensions. With each outing, the ace looks closer to rejoining a Yankees rotation that could use his elite presence down the stretch.