The New York Yankees know they’ll have to start 2026 with a patchwork rotation. Carlos Rodón just underwent an elbow cleanup procedure, and Gerrit Cole — the team’s heartbeat on the mound — hasn’t thrown a pitch in over a year. Yet for the first time in months, there’s a real sense of optimism around his recovery.

Cole missed all of 2025 following Tommy John surgery, a reality the Yankees hoped they’d never have to face. His absence left a massive void in the rotation, and while others tried to fill it, nobody truly replaced him. When a player like Cole is sidelined, it’s not just the innings that vanish — it’s the confidence he brings every fifth day.

The Yankees are staying patient with their ace

Now 35, Cole is entering a critical stretch of his career. The Yankees have invested heav

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