Two key New York Yankees starting pitchers are approaching their return to action after extended injury recoveries, according to manager Aaron Boone’s comments to media before Monday’s matchup with the Los Angeles Angels.
Star right-hander Gerrit Cole and left-handed pitcher Carlos Rodon could both begin minor league rehabilitation assignments within the coming week as they work their way back from elbow procedures.
Cole, who had Tommy John surgery 13 months ago, has been gradually building up his arm strength. While he appeared in a pair of spring training contests, the organization slowed his progression to align with his recovery timeline. On Sunday, the veteran hurler completed live batting practice, reaching 42 pitches during the session, Boone reported.
Meanwhile, Rodon underwent surgery following last season to have bone chips removed from his elbow. The southpaw, coming off his most successful Yankees season with an 18-9 record, 3.09 ERA, and 1.05 WHIP in 2025, threw 50 pitches during Monday’s live batting practice.
Both pitchers will take their next turn after four days of rest, though team officials haven’t determined whether that will come in an actual game setting or another batting practice session.
“I don’t have an opinion one way or the other,” Cole said. “I just want to make sure we do what’s right, really. So I think we’re just taking in a little bit more information over the next couple of days before we make that call.”
The Yankees’ current rotation has performed exceptionally well through 15 games, posting a major league-leading 2.67 ERA while tying Pittsburgh for the fewest home runs allowed with just three.
The 35-year-old Cole captured the Cy Young Award in 2023 after going 15-4 with a league-best 2.63 ERA across 209 innings. Throughout his career, he’s been selected as an All-Star six times, earning recognition with Pittsburgh in 2015, Houston in 2018 and 2019, and the Yankees from 2021-2023.
Over 12 major league seasons, Cole has compiled a 153-80 record with a 3.18 ERA in 317 starts.
Rodon, 33, brings an 93-72 record and 3.73 ERA over 231 games across 11 big league seasons. He’s also earned All-Star selections with three different organizations: Chicago White Sox in 2021, San Francisco Giants in 2022, and the Yankees last year.
Additionally, Boone announced that shortstop Anthony Volpe is scheduled to participate in four games with Double-A Somerset this week, pending medical clearance. Volpe played through most of last season with a partially torn labrum in his left shoulder and had corrective surgery during the offseason.
