Yankees' Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon struggle in latest rehab starts

Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon continued their rehab assignments on Tuesday night, and neither had their best stuff.

The Yankees hurlers pitched for High-A Hudson Valley and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, respectively, and allowed 10 earned runs combined. Cole had it the toughest as he was taken deep by the second batter he faced. A double and a single later, and Cole found himself down 2-0. The Yankees ace settled down a bit, pitching back-to-back scoreless innings, but the longball would get Cole again in the fourth.

Kyle Lodise led off the inning with a long fly and in the fifth, Cole hit a batter and allowed an RBI double. Cole was pulled after the double, and the reliever gave up a two-run shot, allowing Cole's runner to score.

Cole tossed 69 pitches (49 strikes) across 4.1 innings. He allowed five runs on seven hits (two home runs) while striking out four. Including Tuesday's start, Cole has now allowed 12 runs in 18.2 innings pitched.

Earlier in the day, Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Cole was still "a little ways away" from rejoining the team. With how well the rotation is pitching, the Yankees will take their time with Cole.

The opposite is the case with Rodon. As long as the southpaw comes away from Tuesday's start healthy, his next start will be with the Yankees. However, his presumed final rehab start was also tough.

Rodon threw 83 pitches (49 strikes), allowing six runs (five earned) on seven hits -- two home runs -- and two walks, and also struck out four batters in Tuesday's start in Triple-A.

Rodon entered the start, pitching well for both High-A and Double-A. In his previous two rehab starts, he allowed one run across 9.2 innings on six hits and one walk while striking out 12 batters.