Next Steps for Gerrit Cole: Season Debut Imminent
Following Wednesday’s 5-4 victory over the Angels, Yankees manager Aaron Boone confirmed that Gerrit Cole, the team’s ace and potential future Hall of Famer, will kick off his comeback on Friday at Double-A Somerset.
It’s been 13 months since Cole underwent Tommy John surgery, which sidelined him for the 2025 season. Now, at 35, he’s set to start a rehab stint. This will be followed by a gradual build-up, then a period of reduced activity, and finally another build-up.
Most recently, Cole threw about 42 pitches over three innings in a simulated game in the Hudson Valley on Sunday. He felt good, which led to a successful side session on Wednesday. That prompted the go-ahead for his rehab assignment.
It’s a bit odd to see Cole on the 15-day injured list rather than the 60-day version, which would have kept him out until late May. Boone noted that Carlos Rodon, who is also recovering from surgery, is scheduled for live batting practice in Somerset on Saturday, though he hasn’t started his rehab yet.
As for Anthony Volpe, there are still likely a couple of weeks left in his recovery journey, but the first day of his rehab assignment is off to a good start. He managed five innings without any issues during his first game against Somerset, striking out two batters in two at-bats against Zach Wheeler, who is also in the midst of his own rehab.
“It’s so fun to be outside again,” Volpe expressed. He reflected on this milestone with gratitude. Currently, he’s receiving treatment in the Bronx and is set to play in Somerset again on Thursday, Friday, and Sunday.
Looking ahead, Volpe is likely to step up to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre next week, where he is expected to play three consecutive games. After that, the Yankees will evaluate if he’s ready to fill the role that Jose Caballero hasn’t quite secured, despite some recent successes.
Having had offseason surgery for a torn labrum in his left shoulder, Volpe is on the verge of making his season debut later this month or early next month. In addition to getting at-bats, he’s been focusing on diving and running bases during his rehab, wanting to ensure he can manage everything, even with some discomfort lingering from last season.
When talking about the shoulder, Volpe mentioned, “After you do something, it’s easy to think back on it and it feels normal.”
Just incidentally, for the second time this season, Boone has shuffled the batting order. Aaron Judge, typically batting second, has moved to third, while Ben Rice is now the No. 2 hitter.
Though Rice went 0-for-4 in his new spot, Judge responded with a home run in the first inning—three of his seven hits this season have come during that opening frame.
In recognition of Jackie Robinson Day, all uniformed personnel donned number 42. Boone conveyed his pride in participating in this significant occasion.
