The Bronx is currently a giant rehab center. That sounds harsh, but if you look at the names currently cycling through the training room in Tampa, it's the reality of the situation. Every time a New York Yankee player injured notification hits your phone, it feels like the season is slipping away before the first pitch is even thrown.
It’s January 2026. Pitchers and catchers are basically packing their bags for Florida. But the 2026 Yankees are entering Spring Training with a roster that looks more like a MASH unit than a World Series favorite.
We need to talk about Gerrit Cole. Honestly, the internal brace surgery he had last March feels like it happened a lifetime ago, but the ripple effects are just now reaching a peak. He’s throwing. He’s ramping up. But "ramping up" is a dangerous phrase in baseball. Brian Cashman basically confirmed during the Winter Meetings that we aren't seeing the ace until May or June.
That is a massive hole.
The Rotation is Thin (and getting thinner)
If it were just Cole, maybe you could breathe. But it isn't. Carlos Rodón is currently recovering from his own procedure to clean out "loose bodies" and a bone spur in his left elbow.
Think about that. Your number one and number two guys are both projected for a late April or May return at the absolute earliest.
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Then there is Clarke Schmidt. He had Tommy John surgery last July. While he’s started a throwing program, most experts—including the folks over at FanGraphs—aren't putting a firm date on his return. If the Yankees get him back by August, they should consider it a win.
Basically, the starting rotation is Max Fried (who they brought in to be the savior) and a bunch of question marks. Ryan Weathers, who they just traded for, is suddenly one of the most important people in New York. That’s a lot of pressure for a guy who was limited to eight starts last year.
The Anthony Volpe Situation
It’s not just the arms. The dirt is empty too. Anthony Volpe is the one New York Yankee player injured that might actually hurt the team’s identity the most.
He had arthroscopic surgery on October 14 to fix a torn labrum in his left shoulder. That’s his non-throwing shoulder, which is the "good" news, I guess? But he can't even swing a bat until February. He can't dive for six months.
If you’ve watched Volpe play, you know his entire game is built on aggressiveness. Diving into holes, sliding into second, high-intent swings. If he isn't back until May, who plays short?
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The Yankees snagged two shortstops in the international signing period, but they’re teenagers. They aren't helping in April. It’s looking like a mix-and-match situation in the middle infield that could lead to some very frustrating early-season losses.
Is Aaron Judge Actually Safe?
Everyone is holding their breath regarding the captain. Aaron Judge avoided surgery after that flexor strain scare in late 2025. He finished the year on a tear—10 homers in September—which usually means the elbow is fine.
But is it?
Flexor strains are often the "check engine light" for the UCL. The Yankees are saying all the right things. They’re saying he’s a lock for 400 home runs this year. But at 33, with a massive frame, the team has to be careful. You’ll probably see him DH more than ever this year. Honestly, if he plays 140 games, it’s a miracle of modern medicine.
Why Most Fans Are Misjudging the Risk
The common narrative is: "We just need to tread water until May."
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That is a dangerous way to look at it. The AL East in 2026 isn't the AL East of ten years ago. The Blue Jays and Red Sox are hovering, and the Orioles are essentially a factory of young talent. If the Yankees go 10-20 in April because their rotation can't go past the fourth inning, the season might be over before Cole even steps on a mound.
People think "returning from injury" means "returning to form."
It rarely does. Look at Rodón’s history. Look at pitchers coming off internal braces. There’s a "rust" period that usually lasts three or four starts. By the time these guys are actually good again, it might be July.
What the Yankees Must Do Now
The front office can't sit on their hands. Relying on "internal options" like Luis Gil or Will Warren is how you end up in third place.
- Sign a "B-Tier" Veteran: They need an innings eater. Someone like a Kyle Gibson type—not flashy, but someone who will give you 160 innings and not blow out their elbow in the first week.
- Aggressive Load Management: Stop trying to play Judge and Giancarlo Stanton in the field at the same time. Use the DH spot to keep the stars' legs fresh.
- Monitor Volpe’s Range: When he does come back, the coaching staff has to watch his diving mechanics. One bad landing on that shoulder and he’s out until 2027.
The 2026 season is going to be defined by the training staff. If you're a betting person, keep a close eye on those rehab assignments in Somerset and Scranton. That’s where the real season is happening right now.
The next few weeks of Spring Training will tell us everything. Watch how Gerrit Cole handles his first live batting practice. If his velocity is sitting in the low 90s, don't panic—but if he's skipping sessions, it's time to worry. You should keep a close eye on the waiver wire as the Yankees look for middle-infield depth to cover Volpe's absence.