Gerrit Cole is set to make his first Minor League rehabilitation start for Double-A Somerset on Friday, according to an April 16 announcement. Cole is recovering from Tommy John surgery that was performed in March 2025 and will face the Phillies’ Double-A Reading affiliate at 6:35 p.m.
The news is significant as Cole, the 2023 American League Cy Young Award winner, has been a key player for the New York Yankees. His return could have a major impact on the team’s pitching rotation as they look ahead to the remainder of the season.
Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe is also scheduled to play in Friday’s game. Manager Aaron Boone said Volpe will appear for Somerset on Thursday, Friday, and Sunday before moving up to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. The update comes after Cole completed a side session at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday that went well enough for him to be cleared for Minor League action. The Yankees have indicated they expect Cole back in their rotation by late May or early June.
Cole’s recovery has progressed smoothly so far. He made two Spring Training starts earlier this year: one inning against the Red Sox on March 18 and another outing of one and two-thirds innings against the Cubs in Arizona on March 24. “I have no complaints,” Cole said Monday. “The stamina was good. The pitches are fine right now. They’re good. I’m a little nitpicky, but everything is good.”
Carlos Rodón will also be with Double-A Somerset on Friday for a live batting practice session as he continues his own recovery process after being briefly slowed by a right hamstring issue.
