Carlos Rodón Nears Return as Yankees Await Gerrit Cole’s Rehab Progress

On Tuesday, left-hander Carlos Rodón completed a 6 1/3 -inning rehab start for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, allowing six runs (five earned) on seven hits, issuing two walks, striking out four, and throwing 83 pitches. The outing produced a two-run homer to Mickey Gasper (first inning) and a solo homer to Kristian Campbell (sixth). The start raised his Triple-A ERA to 7.11 across three appearances. Yankees manager Aaron Boone indicated that, pending a clean follow-up outing, Rodón is slated to rejoin the major-league rotation next weekend, likely replacing Elmer Rodríguez, who was optioned back to Triple-A after his recent start.

Yankees' Carlos Rodon allows six runs in triple-A rehab start

The Yankees entered the 2026 season with a rotation disrupted by injuries. Rodón began the year on the 15-day injured list after October 15 elbow surgery to remove loose bodies and shave a bone spur; a subsequent hamstring tightness delayed his progress. Gerrit Cole, the 2024 AL Cy Young Award winner, is recovering from reconstructive elbow surgery performed March 11, 2025. Both pitchers missed the season’s opening weeks, prompting the club to rely on Cam Schlittler (1.54 ERA), Max Fried (2.39 ERA), Will Warren (2.39 ERA), and Ryan Weathers (3.03 ERA). Luis Gil was demoted to Triple-A, and Elmer Rodríguez struggled in his major-league debut, prompting his recent option.

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• Rodón: 6 1/3  IP, 6 R (5 ER), 7 H, 2 BB, 4 K, 83 P; 7.11 ERA (Triple-A).

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• Cole: 4 1/3  IP, 6 R, 7 H, 4 K, 69 P; solo homers to Caleb Bonemer and Kyle Lodise.

Yankees’ Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon both getting lit up at same time in rehab starts is ominous

• Yankees rotation ERA: 2.77 (MLB best).

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• Team ERA: 2.95 (AL lead).

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• Record: 25-11 (AL East leader).

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• Rodón’s contract: $162 million, six-year deal signed Dec 2022.

Aaron Boone gives Carlos Rodon update that should fire Yankees fans up

• Cole’s contract: nine-year, $324 million extension (2023).

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Rodón’s return would restore a left-handed ace to a rotation already boasting a sub-3.00 ERA, providing depth ahead of a three-game series at Milwaukee and a forthcoming matchup with the Texas Rangers. Cole’s eventual activation is expected to prompt a reshuffle, potentially moving a current starter to the bullpen. The timing of both returns influences the Yankees’ ability to sustain their league-leading performance through the mid-season stretch.

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Aaron Boone told reporters that Rodón “has a clear avenue” to rejoin the rotation once his rehab outing is completed without issue, and that the club will keep the existing rotation intact until Cole is fully ready. Boone also noted that Cole remains “a little ways away” from a major-league start, requiring additional minor-league appearances before a late-May or early-June return.

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Fans expressed concern over Cole’s recent High-A performance, describing him as “out of shape and sloppy” and questioning whether he remains the pitcher who earned the 2024 Cy Young Award. Several commenters suggested that the Yankees should temper expectations and consider alternative options if Cole’s form does not improve.

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• “First things first is Carlos is probably next,” — Aaron Boone, Manager

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• “Aaron Boone said Gerrit Cole is still a “little ways away” from making his season debut.” — Aaron Boone, Manager

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• “It was good, just working through everything — fastball command, a couple sliders, changeups — just trying to get my work in,” — Carlos Rodón, Pitcher

Aaron Boone gives Carlos Rodon update that should fire Yankees fans up

• “Even though it’s one start, it’s five days of process that you got to execute,” — Gerrit Cole, Pitcher

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• “Cole looks out of shape and sloppy, very concerning…,” — Fan, X comment

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Rodón is expected to start the Yankees’ weekend series in Milwaukee, potentially against the Brewers, while Cole is projected to make additional rehab starts at High-A Hudson Valley before a tentative late-May return. The club will monitor both pitchers’ health as it prepares for a pivotal stretch of AL East competition.

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