Yankees' Gerrit Cole Will Miss Opening Day, Carlos Rodon Has Surgery on Elbow Injury

After missing the entire 2025 season due to Tommy John surgery, New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole still doesn't have an exact target date for his return to the mound.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone told reporters on Thursday that Cole is not expected to recover in time to start on Opening Day 2026, but he added that he could be back "hopefully not too far after."

In addition to Cole's uncertain status, starting pitcher Carlos Rodon also could miss Opening Day after undergoing an operation to remove loose bodies in his left elbow and shave a bone spur, per ESPN. Boone said he will have "eight weeks of no throwing, and the start of his season could be delayed by a couple of weeks." Rodon was one of New York's best starters this season, going 18-9 with a 3.09 ERA and a team-high 203 strikeouts.

Boone noted that Cole is "doing well" as he continues his rehab process. He will meet with doctors again when he returns to California next month. Despite likely not being ready for Opening Day, Boone said he's "on track" with his recovery.

"At some point in spring training, hopefully we'll see him on the mound starting to face live hitters and start that progression and that ramp-up. But so far, everything's gone according to plan," Boone said.

Cole had been dealing with elbow discomfort dating back to the 2024 season, as he was limited to 17 starts that year. He started five playoff games during the Yankees' run to the 2024 World Series, recording a 2.17 ERA and 22 strikeouts.

Getting Cole back would certainly boost New York's chances of making it back to the World Series after being eliminated in the ALDS this year. However, the team will remain cautious with his recovery to ensure that he's at full strength in 2026.