Cole to begin Minor League rehab with Double-A start Friday

NEW YORK – Gerrit Cole is scheduled to make his first Minor League rehab start on Friday, when he’ll take the mound for Double-A Somerset.

Cole, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery performed in March 2025, is slated to face the Phillies’ Double-A Reading affiliate at 6:35 p.m. ET.

Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe is also scheduled to play in the game. Manager Aaron Boone said Volpe is expected to play for Somerset on Thursday, Friday and Sunday before shifting to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Cole tossed a side session on Wednesday at Yankee Stadium, which went well, earning a green light to begin his Minor League clock. The Yankees have forecast a late May or early June return to the rotation for Cole, the 2023 American League Cy Young Award winner.

Thus far, recovery has gone smoothly for Cole, who made two Spring Training starts – a one-inning outing on March 18 vs. the Red Sox and a 1 2/3-inning start on March 24 against the Cubs in Arizona.

“I have no complaints,” Cole said on 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 is also scheduled to be with Double-A Somerset on Friday, where he’ll throw in a live batting practice session. Rodón had been forecast for a late April or early May return to the rotation, though he was briefly slowed by a right hamstring issue.