Gerrit Cole Injury: Yankees GM Brian Cashman ‘Prepared for the Worst’
New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman is not doing much to buoy optimism around the impending results of the tests on Gerrit Cole’s elbow.
Cashman said, “I’m prepared for the worst, but we’ll see how it plays out,” on Sunday (h/t Newsday).
Cole, Cashman, and the Yankees are in the process of getting a second opinion on his pitching elbow after the ace underwent an MRI last week following his spring training start against the Minnesota Twins on Thursday.
Initial Results Not Good
The initial results were not good, with Cole admitting that he was “concerned.”
“I’ve still got some hope,” Cole said. “I’m just waiting for the experts to weigh in… In the game, there was a lot of good stuff happening… but as I got home, I just continued to get more and more sore. Something wasn’t right.”
Worst-Case Scenario: Tommy John Surgery
The worst-case scenario — which would provide a hammer blow to the Yankees season before it even starts — would be Tommy John surgery, which would sideline the 2023 Cy Young Award winner for the entire year.
Avoided Surgery Last Spring
He avoided surgery last spring despite encountering elbow issues. Instead, he was shut down with nerve inflammation and did not make his season debut until June 19. In 95 innings, he posted a 3.41 ERA and a 1.130 WHIP with 99 strikeouts.
Opted Out of Contract
Following the World Series loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he was on the mound for the Yankees’ catastrophic fifth-inning collapse in Game 5, Cole opted out of his contract but then returned on his current deal, which has four years and $144 million left.
Starting Rotation in Jeopardy
The Yankees’ starting rotation is already looking dangerous thin three weeks before Opening Day. Reigning AL Rookie of the Year, Luis Gil will miss the first three months of the season, at least, due to a high-grade lat strain.
Now, with the prospects of no Cole or Gil, Max Fried will become the Yankees’ ace in 2025 after signing an eight-year, $218 million pact over the winter. He would be followed by Carlos Rodon, Clarke Schmidt, Marcus Stroman, who they tried to trade all winter, and either Will Warren or veteran Carlos Carrasco, who was a non-roster invite to spring training.
For more on Gerrit Cole, visit AMNY.com
Conclusion
The uncertainty surrounding Gerrit Cole’s elbow injury has left the New York Yankees with a daunting task ahead of them. With the worst-case scenario of Tommy John surgery looming, the team will need to regroup and find a solution to their starting rotation woes.
FAQs
* What is the current status of Gerrit Cole’s elbow injury?
The exact nature and severity of the injury are still unknown, with the team awaiting further test results.
* What is the worst-case scenario for Gerrit Cole’s injury?
Tommy John surgery, which would sideline him for the entire 2025 season.
* How does this impact the New York Yankees’ starting rotation?
The team is already facing a shortage with Luis Gil expected to miss the first three months of the season, and now the prospect of no Gerrit Cole adds to the uncertainty.
