Yankees Injury Update: Gerrit Cole takes big step, 2 key pitchers nearing return

The New York Yankees are badly in need of some stability with the stretch run approaching. Injuries have once again played a role in this team spiraling, which began Memorial Day weekend and has continued until ... further notice. A promising series vs the Twins won't convince anybody of a turnaround.

Perhaps some good news can lift the club during their current funk. Manager Aaron Boone provided a number of injury updates this week, two of which can help the pitching staff in the near future.

The other? Not so much. But we'll call it a spiritual lift. Gerrit Cole, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery after undergoing the procedure in March, started his throwing program after months of inactivity. On Monday, he made 20 throws off flat ground.

When Cole went down before the beginning of the 2025 campaign, the life was sucked out of the Yankees' fanbase. Everybody was hoping for Cole to lead a rotation featuring Max Fried, Carlos Rodón, Luis Gil and Clarke Schmidt. And then, for good measure, Gil was ruled out until July.

The Yankees persevered for the first two months of the year before their downturn began, but Cole has remained throughout, providing insight to the pitching staff and aiding young arms like WIll Warren and Cam Schlittler. He's essentially served as an extra coach and it's clear his teammates have greatly appreciated that. Now that he's on the mend, fans can officially start looking forward to his 2026 debut.

Yankees Injury Update: Fernando Cruz, Ryan Yarbrough and Jonathan Loaisiga on the mend

In terms of pitchers that can help the Yankees this month, both Fernando Cruz and Ryan Yarbrough are scheduled to begin rehab assignments on Thursday. Cruz was an integral part of the bullpen and his absence has been a killer as Boone has struggled with putting the pieces together in the later innings due to the lack of depth. Cruz was able to immediately follow a starter in the fifth or sixth, or handle high-leverage in the eighth or extras. He was probably the team's most versatile reliever before the trade deadline acquisitions arrived.

And speaking of versatility, Yarbrough was exactly what the Yankees needed after their starting rotation was decimated by injuries and poor performance. The crafty left-hander started off as a multi-inning relief option, but eventually made eight starts. He logged a 3.90 ERA and 1.17 WHIP in 55 1/3 innings of work. He allowed two or fewer earned runs in seven of those outings.

His rehab has been delayed because his oblique strain took a bit longer to heal than expected. He's been working hard to get back, though, and faced live hitters on Sunday across two simulated innings. Cruz joined him in a live BP session. Boone said Yarbrough will need to be built up to around 50 pitches before being activated, while Cruz will log outings on Aug. 14, 17 and 19 before he (likely) rejoins the Yanks.

In much more underwhelming news, Jonathan Loaisiga is also on the mend, but many fans can't say they're excited for his eventual return considering how bad he was in his first 29 2/3 innings (10.3 H/9, 2.1 HR/9 and 3.0 BB/9). Boone said the Yankees can expect him back by Sept. 1, which seems strategic because that's when rosters expand and the Yankees won't need to sacrifice somebody else's spot.

At the very least, the Yankees can use Loaisiga to burn innings in September to save their best arms for October (should they even make the postseason). The rest of the bullpen is pretty exhausted and could really use reinforcements in any capacity.

In the meantime? Fingers crossed. One day at a time. Live in the moment.