Gerrit Cole appeared healthy during spring training, but just days ago, reports surfaced that the New York Yankees ace would undergo imaging on his elbow due to discomfort. Now, he has received a recommendation that could shatter his hopes of starting the 2025 season with the Bombers.
According to a recent report from Jim Bowden, Cole has been advised to undergo surgery to repair his elbow—specifically, the Tommy John procedure—which would sideline him for an extended period.
However, Bowden also noted that there is still a glimmer of hope. The Yankees and Cole are seeking a second medical opinion to determine if surgery can be avoided. The CBS analyst wrote on his personal X account, “They are now waiting for a 2nd opinion to confirm the diagnosis.”
Without Cole in the rotation, things don’t look too bad, but the Yankees’ season could be in serious jeopardy. This is not only because recovery from that type of surgery is slow, but also because there aren’t any pitchers available on the market like him. It’s worth noting that he has been crucial for the Bombers in the postseason since 2020.
Yankees Can Go Far Without Cole
This isn’t the first time Gerrit Cole has faced an injury before the start of the season, or even during an extended period. It’s worth noting that last season, in 2024, the Yankees managed to function perfectly for months without him in the rotation and even performed well.
If Cole is unable to play, the Yankees still hold the lowest ERA in all of MLB at just 2.87, ahead of the Red Sox (2.96) and Phillies (3.17). This indicates that with pitchers like Stroman, Rodon, and Schmidt, they could be strong pillars for the defense from the mound.