New York Yankees starting pitchers Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon may go out on rehabilitation assignments in the next week, manager Aaron Boone told reporters before Monday’s home game against the Los Angeles Angels.
The right-handed staff ace Cole underwent Tommy John surgery 13 months ago. He did throw in two spring training games, but the team decelerated his build-up to fit his recovery plan. According to Boone, Cole threw live batting practice on Sunday, getting up to 42 pitches.
Rodon, a southpaw who produced his best Yankees’ campaign (18-9, 3.09 ERA, 1.05 WHIP) in 2025, underwent elbow surgery to remove bone chips after the season. He threw 50 pitches in a live batting practice situation on Monday.
Boone said that Cole and Rodon would both throw again on four days’ rest, but the club had not decided if it will be in a game or batting practice.
“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.”
In 15 games, the Yankees’ current starting staff leads the majors with a 2.67 ERA and is tied with Pittsburgh in allowing a league-low three home runs.
Cole, 35, earned the Cy Young Award in 2023, when he posted a 15-4 record with a league-best 2.63 ERA in 209 innings. He is a six-time All-Star, earning the accolade with the Pittsburgh Pirates (2015), the Houston Astros (2018, 2019) and the Yankees (2021-23).
Cole is 153-80 in 12 seasons, with a 3.18 ERA in 317 starts.
In 11 seasons at the major league level, Rodon, 33, has a record of 93-72 with a 3.73 ERA in 231 games. He has also earned All-Star honors with three different clubs — the Chicago White Sox in 2021, the San Francisco Giants in 2022 and the Yankees last season.
Boone also said that shortstop Anthony Volpe will play four games for Double-A Somerset this week if he is medically cleared. Volpe played through a partially torn labrum in his left shoulder much of last season and underwent surgery in the offseason.
