New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole could skip his final minor-league rehab start and pitch at Yankee Stadium as early as Friday, according to manager Aaron Boone. The club optioned Elmer Rodriguez to Triple-A and called up reliever Yovanny Cruz, signaling Cole is next in the rotation. Cole has looked sharp across six rehab outings, posting a 5.28 ERA in 29 innings with a 99.6 mph fastball in his most recent start.

Rodriguez's unexpected removal leaves the Yankees without a starter for Friday's series opener against the Rays. Boone said he and the staff are weighing whether Cole's best outing Saturday — 5⅓ scoreless innings with four strikeouts and one walk — warrants jumping him straight to the majors. Cole would pitch on five days' rest, an unusual arrangement for the 35-year-old.

The rotation's recent troubles created the opening. Carlos Rodon returned May 10 and struggled in his first two starts, while Max Fried went on the injured list with a left elbow bone bruise. New York had been contending with one of the majors' best rotations (3.10 ERA) but lost that edge without Cole and Rodon. Gerrit Cole last pitched in a meaningful game in Game 4 of the 2024 World Series.