Gerrit Cole may require Tommy John surgery.
The New York Yankees’ star pitcher and 2023 AL Cy Young winner has been advised to undergo the procedure, as reported by The Athletic on Monday. Yankees manager Aaron Boone later informed YES Network that Cole was visiting Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles on Monday.
Cole experienced elbow discomfort during a spring training game on Thursday. Following an MRI on Friday, he expressed concerns about the pending diagnostic results during a press conference on Saturday.
If Cole undergoes Tommy John surgery, it would be a significant setback for both him and the Yankees. The recovery period for this procedure is typically 12 to 18 months, which would force Cole to miss the entire 2025 season and raise doubts about his future as a top MLB pitcher.
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This news adds to the challenges facing the Yankees’ rotation, as they recently announced that Luis Gil, the reigning AL Rookie of the Year, will be sidelined for at least three months due to a high-grade lat strain. With Cole potentially out of the rotation, Marcus Stroman is expected to secure a starting role alongside Carlos Rodón, Max Fried, and Clarke Schmidt.
Aside from pitching woes, the Yankees are also dealing with injuries in their lineup. Designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton is battling tendinitis in both elbows, while infielder DJ LeMahieu is sidelined with a left calf strain.
The Yankees are set to kick off their season against the Milwaukee Brewers on March 27 at home.