Overview
- Manager Aaron Boone confirmed Thursday that Cole will face live hitters for Single-A Hudson Valley on Sunday.
- The right-hander is ramping up from March 2025 Tommy John surgery after missing all of last season, with two spring games and bullpen sessions touching 97.5 mph.
- New York kept him on the 15-day injured list to preserve roster flexibility, whereas a 60-day designation would have kept him out until late May at minimum.
- The rotation has thrived without him, as Yankees starters carried a 2.28 ERA entering Thursday, which eases pressure to speed the process.
- How he responds after Sunday will set the next step, with a minor-league rehab start still likely and MLB.com pointing to a late May or early June return.