Yankees’ Gerrit Cole Needs Several More Rehab Outings, Boone Says

This blog post breaks down Gerrit Cole’s first rehab start since Tommy John surgery. It explores what that means for his return to the Yankees and considers how Carlos Rodón’s elbow recovery might shake up New York’s rotation this season.

The team’s figuring out life without two frontline starters. Cole’s latest outing gives them a glimpse of hope and a possible path forward over the next few weeks.

Gerrit Cole’s Rehab Start: A Positive Step Forward

Cole pitched in his first live game action since Game 5 of the 2024 World Series. He went 4⅓ innings, gave up three runs on three hits, and threw 36 of 44 pitches for strikes.

He hit 96 mph with his fastball, walked one, and struck out three. Was it perfect? Not really, but it showed his arm is waking up after surgery, and he walked off feeling healthy and encouraged.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone made it clear—this is just the beginning. Cole needs a few more rehab outings, and Boone isn’t putting a firm pitch count on him yet.

The focus is on discipline and steady workloads. They don’t want to rush him back into the rotation before he’s ready.

What the outing signals for Cole and the Yankees

Facing a lefty-heavy lineup, Cole got to test his changeup—a pitch he’ll need as he rebuilds his arsenal. He did give up an RBI double and a two-run homer.

Still, the real story was his velocity and command as he navigated the early comeback. The Yankees care more about endurance and steady progress across several rehab starts than a single, high-pressure performance.

Carlos Rodón: Progress and Expectations

Rodón’s also working his way back from elbow surgery. He’s set to throw 55–60 pitches in live BP, and if things go smoothly, he’ll probably start a rehab assignment next week.

Boone said the plan is for Rodón to rejoin the Yankees before Cole does. That lines up with the team’s push to get their rotation depth and stability back as soon as possible.

Rodón’s timeline and rotation impact

The Yankees’ rotation has held up surprisingly well without their big arms, posting a 3.21 ERA through 20 games. If Rodón returns ahead of Cole—or even around the same time—they could shuffle the order and adjust bullpen usage to keep everyone fresh.

The timeline’s still a bit uncertain, but the upside is obvious. Getting two top-tier starters back could really boost their postseason chances.

Rotation Outlook and Strategic Implications

Right now, the Yankees are aiming for Cole’s season debut in early June, with Rodón likely coming back sooner. They’re taking a patient approach to get their rotation back to full strength.

The rest of the staff has been solid, but let’s be honest—Cole and Rodón bring something extra when they’re right. Over the next few rehab outings, the team will watch for a few key things: command of the changeup against lefties, the stamina to go deeper into games, and the ability to hand things off to the bullpen without wearing out the relievers.

Key takeaways for Yankees fans

• Progress over perfection: Velocity and mechanics look encouraging. The real test, though, is how well Cole handles a full workload.
• Patience in ramp: Boone wants to keep Cole healthy. He’s not interested in rushing him back before he’s ready.
• Rodón’s potential impact: If Rodón returns earlier, he could give the rotation a boost. Of course, that’s only if he stays healthy.
• Timeline alignment: Early June still seems like the target for Cole’s return. That all depends on how his rehab goes.
• Changeup development: Cole’s changeup could be a big indicator. If it looks sharp in rehab, that’s a great sign he’s close.

Yankees fans have a lot to watch in the coming weeks. Cole and Rodón could reshape this rotation—if everything breaks right.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Yankees’ Cole needs ‘several more’ rehab outings, says Boone