Yankees Injury Update: Encouraging Signs for Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon, and Anthony Volpe
With Spring Training just around the corner, the Yankees are getting some much-needed good news on the injury front-particularly regarding their ace, Gerrit Cole. The 35-year-old right-hander, who missed the entire 2025 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery last March, is now on track to face live hitters in the coming weeks. That’s according to manager Aaron Boone, who also floated the possibility of Cole appearing in Spring Training games.
Now, let’s be clear: Opening Day was never a realistic target for Cole. He’s still less than a year removed from surgery, and the Yankees have been cautious with his timeline.
But the fact that he might toe the rubber in a Grapefruit League game? That’s a major step forward.
It suggests that, barring setbacks, he could be back in the rotation sometime in the season’s first month. The 60-day injured list is still on the table, but if there’s even a glimmer of hope that Cole returns sooner, New York may steer clear of that option.
Cole’s road back has been anything but smooth. After capturing the AL Cy Young Award in 2023, he dealt with elbow inflammation that sidelined him for the first half of 2024.
He returned to make 17 starts down the stretch, but recurring elbow issues flared up again last spring, ultimately leading to surgery. With three years remaining on his nine-year, $324 million deal, the Yankees are understandably playing the long game here-but there’s no question they’d welcome a healthy Cole back as soon as possible.
Rodon Progressing, Eyes Early-Season Return
Carlos Rodon, who threw alongside Cole during today’s spring session, is also trending in the right direction. The left-hander had loose bodies removed from his elbow shortly after the 2025 season wrapped. Boone told reporters that Rodon is “probably not far behind from the start of the season,” and all signs point to a return before the end of April.
Rodon has already resumed throwing-he was back on the mound just eight weeks after surgery-and by his own account, his mobility has improved significantly post-procedure. That’s an encouraging development for a pitcher who, despite a rocky postseason, put together a strong 2025 campaign.
Rodon made a career-high 33 starts, earned an All-Star nod, and finished sixth in AL Cy Young voting. The playoffs were a different story-he gave up nine earned runs across two outings-but over the course of the regular season, he was a reliable arm in the Yankees’ rotation.
If both Cole and Rodon can return to form, the Yankees' starting staff could quickly go from question mark to strength.
Cam Schlittler Dealing with Lat Issue
Not all the news was positive. Right-hander Cam Schlittler is managing what was initially reported as mid-back inflammation, but he later clarified that it’s actually a left lat issue. “It’s early, so I just want to make sure I’m on top of it,” Schlittler told reporters.
Schlittler burst onto the scene last summer after a July call-up, posting a sub-3.00 ERA in his first 14 big-league starts. He didn’t just hold his own-he thrived, especially under the bright lights of October.
The young righty tossed eight scoreless innings in a pivotal ALDS win over Boston, then followed it up with a quality start against Toronto in the ALCS. Though the Yankees dropped that game (and the series), Schlittler’s poise and performance made it clear he’s a key piece of the rotation moving forward.
The lat issue doesn’t appear to be serious, but it’s something to monitor as camp progresses.
Anthony Volpe Nearing Hitting Progression
On the offensive side, shortstop Anthony Volpe is making strides in his recovery from October labrum surgery. Boone said Volpe is “doing well,” noting that he’s regained his strength and range of motion. The plan is for Volpe to begin his hitting progression before the end of February.
The 2025 season ended early for Volpe, and initial reports suggested he wouldn’t swing a bat for at least four months. The Yankees have already confirmed he’ll open the season on the injured list, and until he’s ready, Jose Caballero is expected to fill the shortstop role.
But the long-term outlook is promising. Volpe’s recovery is tracking in the right direction, and the team is confident he’ll be back to full strength once cleared for game action.
The Big Picture
Injuries have been a recurring theme for the Yankees over the past few seasons, but this latest round of updates offers a dose of optimism. Cole and Rodon are progressing well, Schlittler’s issue seems manageable, and Volpe is ahead of schedule in some areas of his rehab. There’s still a long road ahead, but if these key players can return to health and form, the Yankees could be in a much stronger position than they were a year ago.
Spring Training is about to get interesting in Tampa.