Latest on Gerrit Cole's Injury Return Timeline Amid IR Stint as Yankees Finalize Opening Day Roster

After two encouraging starts late in spring training, Gerrit Cole's timeline to return to the rotation for the New York Yankees may not take as long as they initially suggested.

The Yankees placed Cole, who underwent Tommy John surgery in March 2025, on the 15-day injured list as part of a series of moves to set their 26-man roster prior to Wednesday's season opener against the San Francisco Giants.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone told reporters after Cole struck out three and allowed one run in 1.2 innings on Tuesday against the Chicago Cubs that he was encouraged by what he saw from the 2023 AL Cy Young winner.

"I thought he was sharp," Boone said. "I thought he was good, I thought he was in control and it's another good step in the process."

If the Yankees had opted to put Cole on the 60-day IL instead of the 15-day, he would have been out until at least May 24.

Here is New York's full roster for Opening Day:

C: Austin Wells, J.C. Escarra

1B: Paul Goldschmidt, Ben Rice

2B: Jazz Chisholm Jr.

3B: Ryan McMahon

SS: José Caballero

DH: Giancarlo Stanton

Bench/Utility: Amed Rosario, Randal Grichuk

OF: Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger, Trent Grisham

SP: Max Fried, Cam Schlittler, Will Warren, Ryan Weathers

RP: David Bednar, Jake Bird, Paul Blackburn, Fernando Cruz, Camilo Doval, Brent Headrick, Tim Hill, Cade Winquest, Ryan Yarbrough

Cole made his spring debut on March 18, tossing a scoreless inning against the Boston Red Sox. The six-time All-Star has insisted he won't rush back and intends to stick to a 14-to-18 month recovery timeline.

"You can write it down, never fails, every single time," Cole said about his return timetable after Tuesday's outing.

Cole had elbow surgery on March 11, 2025, so a 14-month timeline would be in early May. Even though that would still keep him out for more than one month at the start of the season, it's better than nearly two full months if he were immediately put on the 60-day IL.

The most encouraging sign for Cole thus far is there haven't been any setbacks. He got back on the mound before the end of spring training and the velocity on his pitches has been excellent.

The Yankees pitching staff is starting the season shorthanded, beyond just Cole.

Carlos Rodón was placed on the 15-day IL retroactive to March 22 as he recovers from offseason elbow surgery to remove a bone spur. His expected timeline to return is sometime in April or early May.

Luis Gil will start the season in Triple-A to get regular work against hitters in game settings since the Yankees have four off days in the first two weeks and won't need a fifth starter until the second week of April.

Max Fried will make his first Opening Day start as a member of the Yankees and fourth overall. He will pitch opposite Logan Webb when New York and San Francisco begin the 2026 MLB season from Oracle Park on Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET on Netflix.