As Gerrit Cole begins rehab assignment, Yankees’ vision for elite rotation comes into focus

Rather than try to replace Soto’s prolific production with one player, the Yankees prioritized their rotation with the addition of Fried, then shored up their lineup and defense by trading for outfielder Cody Bellinger.

Fried certainly did his part, going 19-5 with a 2.86 ERA over 32 starts last season to help the Yankees absorb Cole’s absence.

Rodón stepped up, too, going 18-9 with a 3.09 ERA in his best season in pinstripes.

Those two were big reasons why the Yankees went 94-68, tying them for the AL’s best record.

But the Yankees can be even better with the return of Cole, a six-time All-Star and the 2023 AL Cy Young Award who boasts a 3.12 ERA over five seasons with the team.

Rodón is also yet to pitch in the majors this season, but he is not far from starting his own rehab assignment after undergoing an October operation to remove a bone spur and loose bodies in his left elbow.

“We’re obviously very excited to get those guys back,” manager Aaron Boone said of Cole and Rodón.

“We know how good they are, really their entire careers, so we know what they’re capable of. But it’s a process, too, in getting them back, and it’s still a little ways off. So the biggest thing right now is making sure they’re checking all the boxes getting built up properly and healthily.”

Not all elbow recoveries are the same, but Cole repeatedly gave the Yankees reasons for optimism during spring training.

His velocity and stuff flashed during bullpen sessions and live BPs. He made two starts late in the spring, allowing one run with three strikeouts over 2.2 innings. In his final spring appearance, Cole’s fastball maxed out at 98 mph.

Friday’s game was another encouraging milestone.

“The rehab process is long, and each phase has its own challenges,” Cole said. “Right now, where we’re at, it’s about making sure you execute the process, and not looking ahead. Dealing with whatever things that can’t control that come your way in the game situations and minimize damage, continue to get deep.”

Cole has not pitched in a game that counts for the Yankees since Game 5 of the 2024 World Series. When he does return, he is set to join a rotation that’s even better than the one that went to the Fall Classic.

Fried remains as steady as ever, pitching to a 2-1 record and a 2.97 ERA through five starts this year. Cam Schlittler is a revelation in his first full season in the majors, sporting a sparkling 1.95 ERA through his first five outings.

A foursome of Cole, Fried, Rodón and Schlittler could form a fearsome playoff rotation — starting with Cole and Fried up front, as the Yankees long envisioned.

Cole and company aren’t thinking that far ahead.

“It’s exciting, but I’m not looking farther than what I’ve got to do the next couple of days,” Cole said of his progress. “Looking too far ahead and thinking about that would take me out of what I need to do right now, which is [to] focus on one day at a time.”