Although the next steps have not been officially decided, Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón appear to be nearing rehab assignments.
Cole threw 42 pitches over three approximated innings during a simulated game Sunday in Hudson Valley. Rodón completed three “innings” over 50 pitches during a live batting practice in The Bronx on Monday.
Both are expected to pitch again in five days, manager Aaron Boone said Monday, though the club had not decided whether that meant another simulated session or whether they would be ready to begin their climbs through the minors.
Yankees’ Gerrit Cole in the dugout. Jason Szenes / New York Post Cole, who underwent Tommy John surgery in March 2025, has been checking off boxes and seems just about ready to begin stretching out.
“Stamina was good,” Cole said of his simulated game before the Yankees hosted the Angels. “Pitches are fine right now. They’re good — being a little nitpicky. But everything’s good.”
Rodón also “looks good,” Boone said. Rodón had been on the verge of a rehab assignment before feeling tightness in a hamstring two weeks ago, which prompted the Yankees to pause his progression. After Monday’s session, Rodón ran sprints in the outfield.
Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole #45, (left) and New York Yankees pitcher Carlos Rodón #55, throwing on a back field as pitchers and catchers reported to Spring Training. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post Presuming continued health with Cole and Rodón, the Yankees would have rotation decisions to make if both return in May or June. Luis Gil began his year in the minors and probably needs to pitch his way to a more permanent spot, while Will Warren has been mostly dependable, though might not have the ceiling that Ryan Weathers possesses.
The group — down two front-of-the-rotation arms plus Clarke Schmidt — has been excellent.
“I thought we’ve got off to a great start,” Cole said. “A lot of attacking the strike zone. When we haven’t, we’ve paid the price a little bit. But we’ve been able to minimize. We’ve kept ourselves in the ballgame so far every game this year. … A lot of encouraging signs.”
