Yankees likely in market for starting pitcher this offseason due to trio of arm injuries

LAS VEGAS — Gerrit Cole’s rehab from the Tommy John surgery he underwent last spring continues to progress without any setbacks, the righthander saying Tuesday night of that process, “everything is going well.”

But, smooth as the rehab as been to this point, Cole nonetheless will start next season on the injured list, one of three Yankees’ starters slated to start the season on it.

And it’s for that reason the organization, while making the re-signing of free agent outfielder Cody Bellinger its top offseason priority,  will try to secure a starting pitcher this winter.

As of now, the Yankees would go into Opening Day with Max Fried, Cam Schlittler, Luis Gil and Will Warren fronting their rotation, their No. 5 starter a question mark.

That’s because in addition to Cole starting the year on the IL, he will be joined there by Carlos Rodon and Clarke Schmidt.

All three are expected – with no rehab hiccups, which is never guaranteed – to pitch in 2026.

In a perfect world, Cole would be back about a month into the season, the same for Rodon, who underwent surgery in October to remove loose bodies in his left elbow and the shaving of a bone spur. Schmidt’s prognosis is slightly more complicated. The righthander underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery on July 11 so, best case, he would return by August as the recovery time for pitchers having the surgery is generally 12-16 months.

“I don't know what that means [as far as] where we put our remaining resources, and how we reinforce. Do we have enough from within, or do we have to go outside to augment?” GM Brian Cashman said of Rodon while addressing reporters on Oct. 16. “You can never have enough pitching, so I don't know. But clearly, the good thing is he's coming back, so we have to make sure there's room on the roster when he does.”

With indications managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner desires to bring his payroll under $300 million – the owner multiple times the last two years has said having a $300-million-plus payroll annually is “not sustainable” – the Yankees are unlikely to look to the top of the free agent market for a starter. But there’s always the lower end of the market, as well as trade opportunities.

As for Cole, speaking briefly to Newsday on Tuesday before being honored at the 2025 Lou Gehrig Legacy Gala at Chelsea Piers, an event hosted by ALS United Greater New York, the 2023 AL Cy Young Award winner said his “progression” is going as planned.

The righthander, who began his throwing program in August, recently began throwing in the bullpen at Yankee Stadium.

“Every objective that we have, bringing a high level of focus, a high level of execution,” Cole said. “Threw in the snow today (at the Stadium). That was quite fun.”

Cole, who lives in Greenwich, Connecticut, said he’ll spend some of his offseason in his native Southern California.

“I’ll still go back for the holidays,” Cole said. “The weather is a little bit better. It is conducive to more throwing, along with being with the family.”

As for next season, Cashman already has said Cole will begin the season on the IL, the hope being the 35-year-old back in the rotation by May or June.

“If I’m being completely honest, I don’t have a plan for next year quite yet. We’re wrapping up the tail end of this initial rehab phase and that’s where most of my focus has been and most of the logistics that I’ve been talking about with the club … it’s hard for me to really tell you when it will be. But ideally as soon as possible, right?”

Newsday's Neil Best contributed to this story

By Erik Boland

erik.boland@newsday.comeboland11

Erik Boland started in Newsday's sports department in 2002. He covered high school and college sports, then shifted to the Jets beat. He has covered the Yankees since 2009.