TAMPA — At a time when managers around Florida and Arizona are delivering bad news in the form of new injuries at the start of camp, no news was good news from Aaron Boone and the Yankees on Wednesday.
As pitchers, catchers and World Baseball Classic participants reported to spring training and underwent physicals at George M. Steinbrenner Field, Boone indicated that they had a healthy bunch — aside from the four players who they already disclosed would begin the season on the injured list: Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodón, Clarke Schmidt and Anthony Volpe.
There is still a long way to go before now and Opening Day, but the Yankees at least seem to be starting off on the right foot, which is not always the case.
“As far as I know, I think we’re in a good spot,” Boone said.
Cole and Rodón played catch side by side on a backfield Wednesday as both continue their respective rehabs from elbow surgery.
Rodón, who had a bone spur shaved down and loose bodies removed from his left elbow in October, is “probably not far behind from the start of the season,” Boone said, which would seem to keep a late April return in play.
Cole, meanwhile, threw “a number” of bullpen sessions back home before arriving at camp, about 11 months after undergoing Tommy John surgery. The former AL Cy Young winner is scheduled to begin facing hitters “in a couple weeks” and could even get into Grapefruit League games before camp ends, Boone said.
The Yankees will not rush Cole, but the possibility of pitching in exhibition games by the end of spring is a positive sign for Cole’s rehab as he tries to return by May or June.
As for Volpe, who underwent left shoulder surgery in October for a torn labrum, the shortstop is scheduled to begin his hitting progression within the next two weeks, which is the last step to begin ramping up.
“He is doing well,” Boone said. “Strength is all there in the weight room and stuff like that. He’s got all that back. That’s the thing that took a little while. His range of motion is tremendous.”
