Yankees Mailbag: The backup battles and Cole's timeline
Briefly

The article discusses the recovery timeline for Yankees pitcher Cole following Tommy John surgery. Current estimates suggest a return around June to July 2026, potentially sooner if recovery goes well. For 2027, workload will depend on his performance during the 2026 season, with a two-year recovery period being a common expectation among pitchers. Additionally, with injuries impacting the Yankees, a split roster of 13 position players and 13 pitchers is anticipated, highlighting Trent Grisham's important role as backup outfielder.
As of right now though, pencil him in closer to a June-July return with the potential for May if everything goes well.
For now, it's entirely up in the air, but there's reason for optimism given Cole's otherwise stellar track record with health.
That would leave us with four spots to fill, and we can start with the obvious one: Trent Grisham holding down the backup outfielder spot.
Read at Pinstripe Alley
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