Yankees Ace Gerrit Cole Nears Rehab Assignment

The veteran pitcher is on track to return to the mound in late April or early May.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 9:39pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A fractured, geometric painting depicting the motion of a baseball pitcher, with sharp, overlapping planes in shades of navy, green, and orange, conveying the anticipation of the Yankees' ace's comeback.A cubist interpretation of Yankees ace Gerrit Cole's return to the mound, as the veteran pitcher nears a rehab assignment in the minors.NYC Today

New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole, who underwent elbow surgery last spring, is nearing a rehab assignment in the minor leagues as he continues his recovery. Cole, a former Cy Young Award winner, is expected to rejoin the Yankees' dominant starting rotation in late April or early May.

Why it matters

The return of Cole will be a major boost for the Yankees, who boast the best starting rotation in baseball with a sub-2.00 ERA. Cole's presence will strengthen an already formidable pitching staff as the team aims to contend for a World Series title.

The details

Cole, 35, made a couple of starts in spring training and had a 3.38 ERA in 2.2 innings. He will throw in either a live batting practice session or a game setting this weekend, and the team will then decide on the next step, which is likely to be a rehab assignment in the minors. The biggest challenge for Cole will be ramping up his workload and building arm strength to approach a full starter's workload in the coming weeks.

  • Cole underwent elbow surgery last spring.
  • Cole made a couple of starts in spring training this year.
  • Cole will throw in either live BP or a game setting on Sunday, April 9, 2026.
  • Cole is expected to rejoin the Yankees' rotation in late April or early May 2026.

The players

Gerrit Cole

A 35-year-old starting pitcher for the New York Yankees who is recovering from elbow surgery. Cole is a former Cy Young Award winner and one of the best pitchers in baseball.

Aaron Boone

The manager of the New York Yankees.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Gerrit Cole will throw in either live BP or a game setting on Sunday”

— Aaron Boone, Yankees Manager

What’s next

The Yankees will decide after Cole's throwing session this weekend whether he will make a rehab assignment in the minor leagues or continue his buildup in live batting practice. The team is taking a cautious approach to ensure Cole is fully healthy before rejoining the major league rotation.

The takeaway

The return of Gerrit Cole, one of the best pitchers in baseball, will be a major boost for the Yankees as they aim to maintain their dominance in the starting rotation and contend for a World Series championship. Cole's recovery process has been steady, and the team is optimistic he will be back on the mound in the coming weeks.