The New York Yankees are expected to start the 2026 regular season with a handful of injuries sidelined, but that’s been known for several months now. Some of those players include: Carlos Rodon, Anthony Volpe, Clarke Schmidt, and Gerrit Cole. Cole and Schmidt are recovering from reconstructive elbow surgery, but both are expected back during the season at some point.
Pitchers and catchers are reporting to camp on Wednesday for the very first time, which means the media got a chance to speak with manager Aaron Boone, whose managerial seat might be a little bit warm heading into the new season. What update did Aaron Boone give on Gerrit Cole, who is still rehabbing?
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Gerrit Cole Might Pitch in Spring Training, Per Aaron Boone
Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Wednesday that Cole (elbow) could pitch in some Grapefruit League games before the end of camp, Greg Joyce of the New York Post reports.
Cole missed the entirety of the 2025 season following Tommy John with internal bracing surgery last March. He’s been throwing since August, will progress to live batting practice session in a couple weeks, and could progress to game action by mid- to late-March. However, while Cole’s rehab has gone as well as could be expected, the Yankees don’t expect him to rejoin their rotation until late May or early June.
GettyWhen will Gerrit Role return to the mound?
New York was dealt the worst news possible to start last season, with Gerrit Cole going down with that season-ending elbow injury, but behind Max Fried, Carlos Rodon, and others, the Yankees still had a quality season.
A lot was said about the Yankees’ offseason, but getting Cy Young award winner Gerrit Cole back is about as good an addition you can make.
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Other Yankees Spring Training Notes
The other news out of the first day of pitchers and catchers reporting for the Yankees is that Carlos Rodon, who will be sidelined to start 2026 with Cole, is not far behind the start of the season, and May might be the target return month for the Yankees’ southpaw.
Anthony Volpe got surgery on his torn labrum shortly after the 2025 season ended for New York, so some other names will take reps at shortstop during spring camp.
It will be very welcoming for Yankees fans to see Gerrit Cole throwing against real hitters once again, and those spring training innings, if he gets any, will be very revealing on how far away Cole is from returning.
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Yankees’ Aaron Boone Makes Encouraging Gerrit Cole Announcement