Boone: Safe to say Cole will be Yankees' opening day starter

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Yankees ace Gerrit Cole is the likely starter starter for manager Aaron Boone in the season opener against the Toronto Blue Jays on April 1. Cole went 7-3 with a 2.84 ERA over 12 starts in last year’s abbreviated season, his first in pinstripes after signing a $324 million, nine-year contract as a free agent. Boone said Cole’s appearance in the opener is “safe to say.” Cole threw 26 pitches during a five-batter outing.  Right-hander Luis Severino, coming back from Tommy John surgery last February, expects to advance to throwing other pitches in addition to  fastballs next week.