Injuries have decimated the New York Yankees in 2025, but at this point it’s a common theme. They’re also not the only team getting hurt by high-profile absences, so it’s no excuse. They need to use their financial situation to their advantage, that’s all (they won’t).
They did, however, suffer one of the worst injures in the entire league when Gerrit Cole went down with an elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery. That’s one you can’t replace and use money to fix (though they did their best with Max Fried, and it’s working).
Cole, after months out of the spotlight since going under the knife and working through rehab, spoke to reporters before Monday’s series opener against the San Diego Padres to provide an update on his status. First and foremost, he misses baseball. We feel him there. It’s gotta be tough.
He also gave a timeline that should get fans excited, even though they won’t see him until 2026. Cole revealed he should begin playing catch in August. That’s in three full months, so it’s no wonder he’s “mentally” pitching every night before he goes to sleep.
Good to hear from him, and glad he’s in a better place after what’s been a very difficult year for the 2023 Cy Young winner.
Gerrit Cole spoke with the media this afternoon in the Yankees clubhouse. He is continuing to improve following Tommy John surgery. Hopes to resume playing catch in August. He said he still pitches mentally every night before bed. “I haven’t given up any hits.”
— Bryan Hoch ⚾️ (@BryanHoch) May 5, 2025
Yankees Injury Update: DJ LeMahieu nearing return, Marcus Stroman progress
As for a few other returns that should occur much sooner, both DJ LeMahieu and Marcus Stroman are progressing in their recoveries.
LeMahieu’s rehab assignment will continue Tuesday with Triple-A Scranton. He was supposed to join the RailRiders last week, but instead received a precautionary cortisone injection in his hip after his six-game stint at Double-A. He returned to Double-A after a few days off this past weekend and saw action in two games.
Assuming all goes well in Scranton, LeMahieu could join the Yankees on their west coast road trip, which begins Friday in Sacramento and concludes next Wednesday in Seattle. Believe it or not, his return might be celebrated given what the Yankees are dealing with in the middle infield at the moment.
.@NancyNewmanYES has the latest on DJ LeMahieu. #YANKSonYES pic.twitter.com/kMugSbHQ4v
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) May 5, 2025
On the pitching side, Stroman’s knee injury seems to be getting better. On Monday, he logged another bullpen session after his first on May 2 went well. He’s received multiple injections to help with the pain in his left knee and seems to be responding well.
Aaron Boone said Stroman could partake in live batting practice if he feels good over the next few days, but that won’t be determined until “later in the week.”
Marcus Stroman (knee) threw another bullpen today. If that goes well, he could advance to throwing a live BP later this week, per Boone.
— Greg Joyce (@GJoyce9) May 5, 2025
He’ll likely need a rehab assignment after that, though, so don’t expect to see the right-hander for another couple of weeks. Like LeMahieu, Stroman has been the subject of much criticism because of his struggles, but at this point fans will be welcoming him back with open arms after the disaster they just witnessed in the starting rotation since he’s been out.
As a little bonus, Giancarlo Stanton was seen running in the rain before Monday’s game, too. Nothing’s changed with his timetable, but seeing him continue to move is a breath of fresh air. Oh yeah, and Anthony Volpe seems to be fine after participating in last night’s action. Whew.
