New York Yankees

Gerrit Cole

SP

Though his final line was sullied by the two-run home run he surrendered in the second inning, Cole's overall performance was encouraging. He recorded his 13 outs on an efficient 44 pitches (36 strikes) and sported a fastball that sat around 94-to-95 miles per hour for most of the evening and reached 96 on seven occasions. While that still lagged behind his average of 96.0 mph from 2024, Cole said following the outing that he was comfortable with where his velocity stands just over 13 months removed from his Tommy John surgery with an internal brace, according to Greg Johnson of The Trentonian. Cole is slated to make his second rehab start with either Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre or High-A Hudson Valley during the upcoming week and appears on track to rejoin the New York rotation by the middle of May.

Carlos Rodon

SP

Boone added that Rodon will likely need at least three rehab starts before returning to the majors for his 2026 season debut. An early- to mid-May return could be in the works for the left-hander. With both Rodon and Gerrit Cole (elbow) nearing returns, the Yankees could soon be getting a massive boost to their rotation.

Clarke Schmidt

SP

The 10-pitch, all-fastballs bullpen session was Schmidt's first time throwing off the mound since he had an internal brace procedure on his right elbow last July. Schmidt will continue with a gradual build-up, aiming to face hitters by June. The right-hander could be an option for the Yankees' rotation at some point in the second half of the season.

Anthony Volpe

SS

Volpe has been rehabbing at the Yankees' spring training complex but has rejoined the club this weekend with his rehab assignment around the corner. He has not played in any games since last year's postseason, so Volpe's rehab assignment should last a while. If all goes well, he could be ready for his season debut around May 1. Jose Caballero has been filling in at shortstop for the Yankees but will likely shift into a utility role once Volpe is back.

Rafael Montero

RP

Montero has been unable to join New York to this point while he works to resolve the visa issues. The veteran reliever had been slated to use the exhibition slate to try to win a spot in the Yankees' bullpen, but given how much time he's already missed, it's becoming increasingly unlikely that Montero will have much of an opportunity to make his case this spring.