TAMPA, Fla. – As you’ll recall, last year’s Yankees spring training contained one major medical drama.
Delayed in 2024 by an elbow issue, Cole’s 2025 season was wiped out by an early March diagnosis of a UCL tear, requiring Tommy John surgery.
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Cole is one of a trio of Yankees starters who’ll begin 2026 on the injured list, but things overall have been – so far- mostly quiet in the trainer’s room.
Yankees who will begin 2026 season on IL:Gerrit Cole, RHP
Feb 12, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole (45) works out during spring training workouts at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
Nearing the one-year anniversary of his reconstructive elbow surgery, the ace right-hander “looks to be in a really good place,’’ said manager Aaron Boone.
The general expectation for Cole’s return is around June 1, but it’s still too early for a target date.
Cole has been throwing regular bullpen sessions and there’s a possibility he makes an exhibition appearance. “I’m sure we’ll have discussions about that in the next few weeks,’’ said Cole.
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Carlos Rodon, LHP
Feb 13, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees pitcher Carlos Rodon (55) works out during spring training practices at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
Recovering well from surgery last October to remove loose bodies from near his left elbow, and to shave down a bone spur, Rodon has been throwing bullpens in camp.
Rodon might be ready to join the rotation around May 1. Already, he’s getting better extension on his pitches.
“He’s letting it go a little further,’’ said Boone. “Dialing that in from a command standpoint is going to be important.’’
Clarke Schmidt, RHP
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Yankees spring training 2026 photos from Tampa
Feb 12, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (48) and teammates workout during spring training workouts at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
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Yankees spring training 2026 photos from Tampa
Feb 12, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (48) and teammates workout during spring training workouts at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
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Yankees spring training 2026 photos from Tampa
Feb 12, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees pitcher Tim Hill (41) works out during spring training workouts at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
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Yankees spring training 2026 photos from Tampa
Feb 12, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole (45) works out during spring training workouts at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
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Yankees spring training 2026 photos from Tampa
Feb 12, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone (17) talks with right fielder Aaron Judge (99), shortstop Jose Caballero (72), second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. (13) and third baseman Amed Rosario (14) during spring training workouts at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
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Yankees spring training 2026 photos from Tampa
Feb 12, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees pitcher Yerry de Los Santos (73) works out during spring training workouts at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
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Yankees spring training 2026 photos from Tampa
Feb 12, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees pitcher Max Fried (54) works out during spring training workouts at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
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Yankees spring training 2026 photos from Tampa
Feb 12, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees pitcher Max Fried (54) works out during spring training workouts at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
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Yankees spring training 2026 photos from Tampa
Feb 12, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees balls and bags lay on the field during spring training workouts at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
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Yankees spring training 2026 photos from Tampa
Feb 12, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge (99) during live batting practice during spring training workouts at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
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Yankees spring training 2026 photos from Tampa
Feb 12, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees pitcher Luis Gil (81) throws a pitch during live batting practice during spring training workouts at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
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Yankees spring training 2026 photos from Tampa
Feb 12, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; A general view during live batting practice during spring training workouts at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
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Yankees spring training 2026 photos from Tampa
Feb 13, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees pitcher Carlos Rodon (55) works out during spring training practices at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
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Yankees spring training 2026 photos from Tampa
Feb 13, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees pitcher Carlos Rodon (55) works out during spring training practices at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
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Yankees spring training 2026 photos from Tampa
Feb 13, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees shortstop Jose Caballero (72) works out during spring training practices at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
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Yankees spring training 2026 photos from Tampa
Feb 13, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge (99) works out during spring training practices at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
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Yankees spring training 2026 photos from Tampa
Feb 13, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees pitcher Angel Chivilli (57) works out during spring training practices at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
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Yankees spring training 2026 photos from Tampa
Feb 13, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (48) works out during spring training practices at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
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Yankees spring training 2026 photos from Tampa
Feb 13, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole (45) throws a bullpen session during spring training practices at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
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Yankees spring training 2026 photos from Tampa
Feb 13, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA;New York Yankees pitcher Camilo Doval (75) throws a bullpen session during spring training practices at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
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Yankees spring training 2026 photos from Tampa
Feb 13, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole (45) throws a bullpen session during spring training practices at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
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Yankees spring training 2026 photos from Tampa
Feb 13, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (48), right fielder Aaron Judge (99) an teammates workout during spring training practices at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
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Yankees spring training 2026 photos from Tampa
Feb 13, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone (17) during spring training practices at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
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Yankees spring training 2026 photos from Tampa
Feb 13, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge (99) works out during spring training practices at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
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Yankees spring training 2026 photos from Tampa
Feb 13, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge (99) works out during spring training practices at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
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Yankees spring training 2026 photos from Tampa
Feb 13, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees fans and kids watch live batting practice during spring training practices at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
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Yankees spring training 2026 photos from Tampa
Feb 13, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees catcher Austin Wells (28) works out during spring training practices at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
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Yankees spring training 2026 photos from Tampa
Feb 13, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge (99) hits during live batting practice at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
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Yankees spring training 2026 photos from Tampa
Feb 13, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge (99) during live batting practice at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
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Yankees spring training 2026 photos from Tampa
Feb 13, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees pitcher David Bednar (53) throws a pitch during live batting practice at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
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Yankees spring training 2026 photos from Tampa
Feb 13, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge (99) bats as heworks out during spring training practices at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
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Yankees spring training 2026 photos from Tampa
Feb 16, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees infielder Anthony Volpe (11) warms up during spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images
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Yankees spring training 2026 photos from Tampa
Feb 16, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. (13) warms up during spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images
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Yankees spring training 2026 photos from Tampa
Feb 16, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees infielder Ben Rice (22) warms up during spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images
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Yankees spring training 2026 photos from Tampa
Feb 16, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees infielder Anthony Volpe (11) and infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. (13) take a break during spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images
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Yankees spring training 2026 photos from Tampa
Feb 16, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees infielder infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. (13) fields a ground ball during spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images
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Yankees spring training 2026 photos from Tampa
Feb 16, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone (17) watches players workout during spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images
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Yankees spring training 2026 photos from Tampa
Feb 16, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge (99) and outfielder Giancarlo Stanton (27) run the bases during spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images
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Yankees spring training 2026 photos from Tampa
Feb 16, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees outfielder Trent Grisham (12) watches a teammate run a drill during spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images
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Yankees spring training 2026 photos from Tampa
Feb 16, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees prepare for a drill during spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images
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Yankees spring training 2026 photos from Tampa
Feb 16, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees infielder Amed Rosario (14) takes a break during spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images
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Yankees spring training 2026 photos from Tampa
Feb 16, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees outfielder Oswaldo Cabrera (95) prepares for a drill during spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images
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Yankees spring training 2026 photos from Tampa
Feb 16, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge (99) prepares for a drill during spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images
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Yankees spring training 2026 photos from Tampa
Feb 16, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankee fans watch batting practice during spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images
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Yankees spring training 2026 photos from Tampa
Feb 16, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees fans during spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images
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Yankees spring training 2026 photos from Tampa
Feb 16, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge (99) watches batting practice during spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images
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Yankees spring training 2026 photos from Tampa
Feb 16, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge (99) watches batting practice during spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images
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Yankees spring training 2026 photos from Tampa
Feb 16, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge (99) watches batting practice during spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images
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Yankees spring training 2026 photos from Tampa
Feb 16, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees players take batting practice during spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images
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Yankees spring training 2026 photos from Tampa
Feb 16, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone (17) talks with outfielder Giancarlo Stanton (27) during spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images
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Yankees spring training 2026 photos from Tampa
Feb 16, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees outfielder Giancarlo Stanton (27) prepares for batting practice during spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images
Last July 11, Schmidt underwent his second Tommy John surgery (the first was in 2017).
Schmidt, who turns 30 on Friday, has been throwing on flat ground. He could return to the rotation around August or September.
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Anthony Volpe, SS
Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe is coming back from left shoulder surgery – a process that could delay him until May.
Volpe managed an achy left shoulder for much of 2025, leading to labrum surgery last October.
It was revealed that Volpe’s condition was worse than MRIs showed, but his recovery has gone well; Volpe has been working defensively for weeks and has just begun swinging a bat.
Sometime in May, Volpe could be ready to join the Yankees. He’s yet to hit soft toss, the next milestone in his baseball rehab.
Chase Hampton, RHP
Yankees pitcher Chase Hampton
The 24-year-old starting pitching prospect underwent Tommy John surgery around the same time as Cole last year.
“He’s chomping at the bit more because he feels really good,’’ said Boone. “I think there’s still a lot of reason to be excited as he gets closer to being back to full bore.’’
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Yankees who’ll be slow played as spring training games begin:Oswaldo Cabrera, IF
Feb 16, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees outfielder Oswaldo Cabrera (95) prepares for a drill during spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images
There is some possibility that the utility player isn’t deemed ready for the March 25 season opener.
In a game last May, Cabrera suffered a gruesome left ankle fracture. He was back on the field by last September, doing light work, but Boone will delay Cabrera’s entry into exhibition games.
Giancarlo Stanton, DH-OF
This is par for the course in Boone’s spring training management of his veteran DH, who won’t immediately appear in any exhibition games.
Stanton 36, said the maintenance of both elbows (severe tendinitis delayed his personal Opening Day until mid-June last year) is a constant part of his routine.
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Yankees injuries: Player to watchCam Schlittler, RHP
Boone was unsure if Schlittler’s exhibition game appearance might be delayed, since the club might opt to pitch him in a live batting practice setting.
Schlittler developed mid-back inflammation shortly after pitchers and catchers reported, which kept him off a mound for a week, though he continued to throw on flat ground.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Yankees’ injury updates on Gerrit Cole, Anthony Volpe and more