NEW YORK – Gerrit Cole‘s season debut is in sight. The right-hander will be activated and start for the Yankees when they face the Rays in the Bronx on Friday night, appearing in a big league game for the first time since 2024 as he completes his rehab from March 2025 Tommy John surgery.

As recently as Sunday, Boone said the plan was to have rookie Elmer Rodríguez make another turn in the rotation. But Rodríguez was optioned to Triple-A on Monday, a move that accompanied signing right-handed reliever Yovanny Cruz to a Major League contract and adding him to the active roster.

“Obviously, we’ve got Gerrit coming back, so it’s a tough situation,” Rodríguez said. “I’ll just take the positive outing, go out there and continue to be myself and hopefully be back.”

Cole’s 99.6 mph heater in Saturday’s Triple-A start was his fastest tracked pitch since Aug. 13, 2023 (also 99.6 mph), according to MLB.com’s Sarah Langs.

He threw 86 pitches (56 strikes) over 5 1/3 innings for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Saturday in a 6-2, 10-inning loss to Syracuse. If he returns during this homestand, it would likely be Friday against the Rays.

After making two appearances during Spring Training, Cole has worked 29 Minor League innings, permitting 17 runs (15 earned) for a 4.66 ERA. He has allowed 28 hits and issued three walks while striking out 28.

“So far, so good,” Cole said on Saturday in Moosic, Pa. “It’s been a good progression. The pitch count is steadily increasing. The recovery has been good, and the velocity and command are steadily increasing as well.”

Cruz, 26, will be making his Major League debut when he appears in a game. The right-hander was 5-1 with a 3.00 ERA and one save in 15 Triple-A appearances, permitting 14 hits with nine walks and 23 strikeouts.

“We really like the upside,” Boone said. “He really caught our eye at the end of camp with some really strong outings. It’s a big arm, 100 mph, good slider. He’s had some success down there; he’s had some struggles down there.”