Erik Boland: 3 Yankees observations early on in spring training

TAMPA, Fla. — As the Yankees start their spring training schedule Friday afternoon against the Orioles in Sarasota, three observations from the first week-plus of spring training workouts:

1. Gerrit Cole looks like himself

Cole, who underwent Tommy John surgery last March, has had a seamless rehab to this point. He began his throwing program last August, progressed to bullpen sessions by November and, in his first official bullpen session of spring training, saw his fastball sitting in the range of 94 to 96 mph. The ace righthander’s overall stuff earned plaudits. “He looked like Gerrit Cole,” manager Aaron Boone said.

Said catcher Austin Wells: “He looked like a Cy Young pitcher.”

All good signs for the 35-year-old, who won the 2023 American League Cy Young Award, and it certainly beats the alternative. Regardless, the Yankees  likely will have Cole start the season on the 60-day injured list, meaning the earliest he could return would be May 24. And given the tricky nature of most rehabs from Tommy John surgery, the Yankees would sign up for that now.

2. The pitching depth is real

Even with rotation members Cole, Carlos Rodon and Clarke Schmidt set to start the season on the IL, and even with the free-agent departures of  Devin Williams and Luke Weaver, two leading bullpen arms from last year, the Yankees feel as good about their overall pitching depth as they have in years. They believe the expected early-season rotation — barring injuries — of Max Fried, Cam Schlittler, Luis Gil, Will Warren and Ryan Weathers should be able to more than hold its own. Some of those, except Fried and probably Schlittler, could end up in the bullpen when the injured starters return, but the bullpen might not have a lot of openings. David Bednar will leave camp as the closer, and the Yankees expect bounce-back seasons from trade-deadline acquisitions Camilo Doval and Jake Bird. They again expect production from relievers Fernando Cruz, Ryan Yarbrough, Tim Hill and Brent Headrick, and the club is high on righties Angel Chivilli and Osvaldo Bido, both of whom are on the 40-man roster. They  also are quietly high on Dylan Coleman and Travis MacGregor, both non-roster invitees, among others.

3. A late April return for Anthony Volpe might be realistic

General manager Brian Cashman has said a return by May is the most likely scenario for Volpe, who underwent surgery on his left shoulder shortly after the Yankees lost to the Blue Jays in the ALDS. The embattled fourth-year shortstop, who played the majority of last season with a partially torn labrum, an injury suffered in early May, has had a smooth rehab, one that began in earnest in early December when he came to Tampa to begin workouts at the club’s minor-league complex. After seeing Volpe take infield there in late January, one team insider said at the time, “You wouldn’t know he was a player who just had shoulder surgery.” It has been common early in camp to see Volpe doing additional work on one of the back fields here after the rest of the infielders have gone inside. He recently began taking dry swings and should begin hitting soon. The Yankees are comfortable with Jose Caballero starting the season at shortstop and won’t rush Volpe back. However, early indications are that Volpe, who still refuses to use the shoulder as an excuse for last year’s train wreck of a season, could force their hand on a difficult decision sooner than expected.

By Erik Boland

erik.boland@newsday.comeboland11

Erik Boland started in Newsday's sports department in 2002. He covered high school and college sports, then shifted to the Jets beat. He has covered the Yankees since 2009.