The Yankees were already blindsided by the news of Giancarlo Stanton’s “severe” elbow injuries at the start of spring training. Now, the reigning American League champions are at risk of losing their ace long-term.
Gerrit Cole is awaiting more opinions on a sore elbow after he experienced soreness following a rough spring outing. Both Cole and the Yankees have been guarded about the situation, which risks derailing the former Cy Young winner’s season before it begins.
It’s the second consecutive spring marred by an elbow injury for Cole. Last year, he avoided Tommy John Surgery but spent more than two months on the IL before making his season debut in June and helping power the Yankees to the World Series.
Here’s what you need to know about Cole’s injury and how long it could keep him out.
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What is Gerrit Cole’s injury?
Cole reported elbow soreness on Friday, a day after he allowed six runs in a spring training outing. The 34-year-old already underwent testing but told reporters Saturday that he was waiting on additional opinions.
“I’ve still got some hope,” Cole said, adding that he was “concerned” about the injury. No formal diagnosis has been reported.
Cole missed the first two months of the 2024 season due to elbow inflammation, but he was able to avoid surgery. Should testing reveal ligament damage, Cole could be at risk of season-ending surgery.
How long is Gerrit Cole out?
The Yankees are still awaiting word on Cole’s injury, but GM Brian Cashman told reporters Sunday that he is “prepared for the worst.”
“We will see how it plays out,” Cashman said. “I’m always wired to think the worst and hope for the best.”
Brian Cashman on Cole’s elbow.
“I’m prepared for the worst, but we’ll see how it plays out.”#Yankees— David Lennon (@DPLennon) March 9, 2025
While that might be true, the tone from the Yankees is much more pessimistic than it was when Cole was dealing with elbow concerns in 2024. Major elbow surgery, such as Tommy John Surgery, would knock Cole out for the entire 2025 season and potentially threaten his status for the start of 2026.
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Even if Cole receives good news, it’s tough to imagine him being ready for Opening Day. Inflammation alone cost him two months in 2024, and there’s little doubt New York would be as cautious as possible with its ace.
The Yankees had one of the deepest rotations in baseball when they signed Max Fried, but their options have slimmed since that point. New York traded from its surplus later in the week, sending Nestor Cortes Jr. to Milwaukee for closer Devin Williams, and reigning Rookie of the Year Luis Gil won’t return until at least June due to a shoulder injury.
If Cole isn’t ready for the start of the season, which seems likely even under a best-case scenario, the Yankees’ rotation will be led by Fried, Carlos Rodon, Clarke Schmidt and Marcus Stroman with the fifth slot up for grabs.
