Gerrit Cole says he always intended to remain with the New York Yankees. The 34-year-old right-hander exercised his right to opt out of his contract on the third day after the World Series, giving up

Gerrit Cole reported to the New York Yankees spring training site this week, along with many of his other freshly-shaven teammates. Cole is entering his sixth season with the Yankees, but for a few brief days last November that was in question.

Two years after winning the AL Cy Young and one year after a season-delaying elbow injury, Gerrit Cole expects to regain his place among baseball's best hurlers.