The Yankees' ace was in mid-season form in his spring training debut, thanks to a killer change-up that's almost ready for prime time.

Gerrit Cole’s first start of the spring had the Blue Jays swinging and missing, as the Yankees’ ace struck out five on Friday night at George M. Steinbrenner Field.

Gerrit Cole strikes out five over 3 1/3 innings of one-run ball in an impressive Spring Training debut against the Blue Jays

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.

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.

The word of the night for Gerrit Cole: change. A year after he made just one spring start before his elbow began barking to begin a monthslong saga, Cole’s arm and elbow felt plenty changed. “I feel way different [than this time last year],