NEW YORK — When you are winning at a historic pace, you can afford to take a breath on the injury front. The Yankees are 6-1 and have allowed just eight runs in seven games, matching an MLB record. That comfort is allowing the front office and medical staff to manage three high-profile cases without any sense of panic.
Manager Aaron Boone provided updates on Carlos Rodon, Anthony Volpe and Gerrit Cole after Friday’s 8-2 home-opening win over Miami. The news was a mixed bag, but the team’s position in the standings cushions every delay.
Rodon’s hamstring adds fresh complication to elbow recovery
Rodon had been closing in on a first rehab start after spending the winter recovering from elbow surgery. That timetable took a hit last Sunday when he felt hamstring tightness after throwing a 50-pitch live BP session in Tampa.
He handled the news with his usual humor when reporters brought it up before the home opener.
“Just being a 33-year-old running a straight line, that’s what happens, apparently. Now I know!” Rodon said with a laugh.
The hamstring issue has not stopped him from throwing, but it has prevented him from fielding his position cleanly, which is a requirement before any pitcher begins a rehab assignment. Rodon hopes to throw off the mound this weekend, then follow with another 50-pitch live BP next week. A rehab start comes after that, if everything clears.
“A lot of it’s a day-to-day kind of thing,” Rodon said. “Every day I throw, I’m assessing where I’m at. The throwing has been great. Obviously the running is a little timid, but that’s to be expected.”
Boone echoed that the arm is fine and the only question is mobility.
“It’s just a matter of when he can run and cover and field his position,” Boone said. “He’s able to keep his arm going through this. It’s minor enough that that’s the case, so that’s a good thing.”
Volpe on track for early May return from labrum surgery
Shortstop Anthony Volpe had surgery last October to repair a partially torn left labrum. He began live batting practice at-bats in Tampa last weekend, and Boone confirmed a rehab assignment is expected around the middle of April, likely with Double-A Somerset.
Position players are permitted up to 20 days on rehab. If Volpe begins playing in minor league games around April 15, the math points to an active roster return in early May. The Yankees have used Jose Caballero at shortstop effectively in the meantime, but Volpe’s return would upgrade the position significantly.
Cole ahead of schedule after Tommy John surgery
The most encouraging update belongs to Gerrit Cole. The former Cy Young winner had Tommy John surgery in March 2025, and the Yankees set an early June target for his return. Based on Boone’s assessment, late May is now in play.
“It’s going well,” Boone said. “He looks great. Every bullpen, every live, every game that I’ve seen from him has been really, really encouraging. Now it’s just continuing to stack those days and be disciplined to the timeline.”
Cole has already made two spring training starts. No rehab assignment is scheduled yet, but the progression has been smooth enough to warrant optimism. He traveled with the team to New York for the home opener.
Depth carries Yankees while aces wait in the wings
Clarke Schmidt is also on the IL. That leaves Will Warren, Cam Schlittler and Ryan Weathers fronting a rotation that has been elite despite the absences. Yankees starters have surrendered just four earned runs through seven games, tied for the best mark since 1900.
When Cole, Rodon and Schmidt return over the next six to eight weeks, they join a staff that is already pitching at a record pace. For a team with World Series ambitions, that is an enviable problem to have.
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