You’ve heard the jokes. The Bronx Hospital. The Pinstriped IL. Honestly, being a fan of this team sometimes feels like you’re tracking a medical drama rather than a pennant race.
Heading into 2026, the New York Yankees injuries situation isn’t just a footnote; it’s basically the entire script for the first half of the season. If you think the "Next Man Up" mantra is just a cliché, wait until you see the Opening Day rotation. It’s thin. Scary thin.
The Pitching Crisis Nobody Saw Coming (But Everyone Feared)
Let’s be real: losing one ace is a disaster. Losing two is a curse. Gerrit Cole is currently sidelined after a right elbow ligament tear that required surgery. While he’s been throwing bullpen sessions late into the 2025 winter, Brian Cashman has already gone on record saying we shouldn't expect the reigning anchor of this staff back until at least May or June.
And then there’s Carlos Rodón.
His left elbow has been a constant source of anxiety. After undergoing a procedure to shave down a bone spur and remove loose bodies, his timeline is slightly more optimistic—April or May—but it leaves the Yankees in a precarious spot.
You're looking at a rotation that, for at least the first eight weeks, might rely on guys who were never meant to carry this kind of load. Clarke Schmidt? He’s recovering from Tommy John surgery himself. He might not be a viable Major League option until the second half of 2026. Basically, the Yankees are starting the year with their three most reliable arms on the shelf.
Aaron Judge and the Flexor Strain Scare
What most people get wrong about Aaron Judge is the idea that he’s "injury prone." Sure, the big man has had his share of weird accidents—the toe in Dodger Stadium, the ribs—but 2025 was a different beast.
He dealt with a right elbow flexor strain that looked, for a minute, like it might be the "Big One." You know, the one that ends in a scar and a year of rehab.
The good news? It wasn't the UCL.
Judge avoided surgery. He spent a good chunk of late 2025 as a Designated Hitter to protect that arm, and while his power numbers stayed elite, his ability to play the field was the question mark. He’s expected to be 100% for Spring Training, but the team is already hinting at a "maintenance plan."
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Think of it as load management, but for a 6'7" powerhouse. He won’t play 162. He probably shouldn't.
The Anthony Volpe Setback
If you weren't paying attention in October, you might have missed the news about Anthony Volpe. The kid had arthroscopic surgery on his left shoulder to repair a labrum tear.
This isn't a "he'll be fine by February" situation.
Volpe isn't even allowed to swing a bat for four months. He can’t dive on that shoulder for six. Cashman has already told reporters that a return in April is a long shot. We’re likely looking at a May debut for the Gold Glove shortstop.
Is the Training Staff the Real Problem?
Fans love to blame the medical staff. Every time a hamstring tweaks, someone on Twitter calls for the trainers to be fired. But the reality is more complex.
The Yankees have actually been overhaul-happy with their medical and training departments over the last few years. For 2026, they’re doubling down on "preventative bio-mechanics."
Essentially, they’re trying to predict injuries before they happen using crazy high-tech motion capture. Does it work? Well, when your top three starters are all out with elbow issues at the same time, it’s hard to sell the "prevention" angle to a frustrated fanbase.
There's also the Jasson Domínguez factor. "The Martian" finally got through 2025 healthy after his own Tommy John recovery, but now the conversation has shifted from his health to his trade value. It’s a weird spot to be in—having a healthy elite prospect that the team might move because they’re so desperate for immediate, healthy pitching.
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The "Edward Cabrera" Dilemma
Because the New York Yankees injuries have left the rotation looking like a Swiss cheese sandwich, the trade rumors are flying. One name that keeps popping up is Edward Cabrera.
But here’s the kicker: he has his own history of elbow discomfort.
The Yankees are in a position where they might have to trade healthy prospects for a pitcher who is also an injury risk, simply because they have no other choice. It’s like trading a car with no tires for a car with a shaky transmission.
Honestly, the 2026 season is going to be won or lost in the training room. If Cole and Rodón come back on schedule and Judge’s elbow holds up, this is a World Series team. If there’s a setback in Tampa during rehab? It’s going to be a long summer in the Bronx.
What to Watch This Spring
If you’re tracking the health of this roster, keep your eyes on these specific milestones over the next few weeks:
- Gerrit Cole’s Throwing Program: Watch for the transition from flat ground to the mound. If he hits a "plateau" in February, that June return date starts sliding into July.
- Anthony Volpe’s Batting Practice: The moment he starts taking full hacks will tell us if May is realistic or if we’re looking at a mid-summer return.
- The Ryan Weathers Integration: Since the Yankees traded for him to stabilize the rotation, his health is now paramount. He’s had his own "injury challenges" in the past, so his workload in March will be telling.
The smart move for any fan right now is to temper expectations for April. The Yankees are playing the long game. They’re betting that a healthy October is worth a rocky April. Let's just hope the hole they dig in the standings isn't too deep to climb out of once the stars actually return.