Facing an opposing club for the first time since last year’s World Series, Gerrit Cole said it was “a surprise” to make a fourth trip to the mound in his spring debut on Friday -- but a welcome one, because it meant he’d been efficient.

Gerrit Cole was strong in his spring training debut and the Yankees used three home runs from their split-squad to get past the Blue Jays, 6-3, on Friday night at George M. Steinbrenner Field.

Cole showed off his health and his newest weapon in 3 ¹/₃ innings of a 6-3 win over the Blue Jays at Steinbrenner Field in which he allowed a run and three hits, hit one batter and struck out five. The righty was sharp, returned for a batter in the fourth inning because he was so efficient and finished with 46 pitches (including 33 strikes).