Rodon and Cole Both Got Shelled in Rehab Starts and the Yankees' Timeline Just Got Messier

Two of the Yankees' biggest arms are supposed to be ramping up for their season debuts, but things went sideways fast on the rehab circuit. Carlos Rodon and Gerrit Cole each allowed six runs during their latest minor league rehabilitation starts, raising some real questions about when New York's ace duo will actually be ready to pitch.

Rodon's Rocky Road Back

Rodon took the mound for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Tuesday and it was rough. He gave up six runs, five of them earned, across 6 1/3 innings while surrendering seven hits. The damage included a two-run homer to Mickey Gasper on his changeup in the first inning and a solo shot to Kristian Campbell on a slider. This was supposed to be Rodon's third and likely final minor league rehab appearance before returning to action, but manager Aaron Boone is still expecting him to make his major league season debut over the weekend in Milwaukee. That's a quick turnaround after a performance like that.

Cole's Struggles Mirror the Problem

Cole faced similar trouble during his own rehab start, also coughing up six runs. The Yankees are counting on both of these pitchers to anchor their rotation down the stretch, so watching them get lit up in rehab games has to be concerning for the front office and the fan base. When your two most important arms are still finding their footing in May, that's something you have to pay attention to.

What's Next

Rodon's expected debut in Milwaukee this weekend will tell us a lot about where he actually stands. If he's ready to go, great. If Tuesday's performance was a sign of things to come, the Yankees might have a deeper problem than anyone wants to admit right now.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.