The next chapter of Gerrit Cole’s rehab is taking shape for the New York Yankees, and it runs through the Hudson Valley. The New York Yankees’ ace is scheduled to face live hitters in Hudson Valley on Sunday, manager Aaron Boone confirmed the news, per a Thursday report from Gary Phillips. It’s the latest step in Cole’s Tommy John comeback after surgery in March 2025, and it comes as the New York Yankees sit at 8-3 on the season with their rotation producing dominant results without their $324 million arm.
New York Yankees Share Gerrit Cole Injury News
The Yankees’ decision to shelve Cole on the shorter 15-day IL instead of locking him into a 60-day absence was intentional. The front office wanted maximum flexibility for a franchise cornerstone on a $324 million deal.
That alternative path would have kept him off any big-league roster until the end of May at the earliest, per the Associated Press — an unnecessary constraint given how smoothly the rehab has progressed. The working target for his rotation return sits somewhere around late May or the first week of June, per MLB.com.
Credit the arms already in the fold for making Cole’s absence virtually invisible on the stat sheet. Max Fried has been dominant as the de facto ace, posting a 1.35 ERA across 20 innings with 14 strikeouts and a 0.75 WHIP through three starts. Cam Schlittler has been solid, as the second-year righty carries a 1.62 ERA through three outings.
Will Warren has held his own as the third starter with a 2.70 ERA and 1.10 WHIP. Ryan Weathers has been up and down as the fourth arm, but at worst is a bridge option until Cole and Carlos Rodon come back. Luis Gil, the 2024 AL Rookie of the Year, is expected to make his first start of the season Friday against the Rays after beginning the year in Triple-A.
When Will Gerrit Cole Pitch for the Yankees?
Sunday’s outing in Hudson Valley marks a pivotal box to check. Cole participated in two spring training games in March and touched 97.5 mph with his fastball during bullpen sessions earlier in camp, per MLB.com.
After watching one of those early bullpen reps, Boone offered a telling observation — the right-hander simply appeared to be his old, dominant self, per MLB.com. Facing live minor-league hitters in a controlled setting is the natural progression before a full rehab start, which would be the final hurdle before a return to the Bronx.
An 8-3 record through 11 games has eliminated any urgency to fast-track the process. And with Fried, Schlittler, Warren, and now Gil holding things down, Cole can build back without the pressure of a team that desperately needs him right now. When he’s ready, he slots into what could be the most loaded rotation in the American League.
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