The New York Yankees will have to continue to be patient regarding the return of two star pitchers. Despite concerns of running it back with the same roster, New York has started the 2026 season well. In fact, the Bronx Bombers have collected five wins in their first six games. Pitching has been key to the club’s early success, though.
The Yankees currently lead all Major League Baseball teams with a combined 1.01 ERA. New York’s staff has managed to allow just six earned runs in 53 total innings. While the entire pitching group has excelled, the team’s starters have particularly stood out. Max Fried and Cam Schlittler have combined to throw 25 shutout innings in four starts. The duo has also racked up 25 strikeouts to go along with just eight hits and two walks.
What is particularly scary for opposing teams is that Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon will be added to the rotation at some point. Both starters began the current campaign on the injured list. Nevertheless, both Cole and Rodon are working towards a return within the near future.
Rodon recently picked up a hamstring issue while he rehabs from offseason elbow surgery. Despite the concern, the lefty has provided a positive update on the injury. Rodon told SNY’s Chelsea Janes that he is expected to throw off the mound on April 4. Assuming he can handle it without discomfort, the starter will throw around 50 pitches.
New York Yankees Claim Carlos Rodon Could Soon Make Rehab Assignment
GettyCarlos Rodon should return to the Yankees rotation within weeks.
If Rodon’s weekend bullpen session goes well, he should soon make a rehab appearance with a minor league team. Yankees manager Aaron Boone has told SNY that Rodon’s hamstring issue was not much of a setback at all. In fact, the leg issue only affected his ability to run and field his position. The starter’s arm strength is apparently fine and still on schedule.
Rodon was an extremely important piece of the puzzle for New York in 2025. The lefty led the American League with 33 starts on the season, while compiling an 18-9 record and 3.09 ERA. Rodon also finished inside MLB’s top 10 list in innings pitched, strikeouts, and WHIP. As a result, he finished sixth in the American League Cy Young voting.
Cole, on the other hand, missed the entire 2025 campaign due to Tommy John surgery. Before the setback, the veteran was widely viewed as New York’s ace atop the rotation. Cole even collected the 2023 A.L. Cy Young award in a truly dominant season. The ace is so important to the Yankees that ESPN’s Jeff Passan recently claimed that the club’s 2026 campaign essentially hinged on his health.
New York Yankees Hesitant to Provide Cole’s Rehab Timeline
Although Boone provided somewhat of a timeline with Rodon, he opted against committing to a similar plan with Cole. According to the aforementioned SNY piece, the manager claimed that he did not know when the veteran ace would make a rehab start. The admission seems to mean that the Yankees are being extra careful with Cole.
Boone, however, did proclaim that Cole’s recovery is still going well. While the coach does not have an imminent plan regarding the ace, he is “really, really encouraged” by how Cole is progressing. For now, the Yankees will have to keep their hot start going without the star duo. Rodon may return within a few weeks, but Cole will likely have to wait a bit longer.
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