Yankees Ace Gerrit Cole Faces Season-Ending Tommy John Surgery: What It Means for His Career and Team

The New York Yankees faced a major setback on Monday when it was announced that star pitcher Gerrit Cole will need Tommy John surgery. This procedure is necessary to fix a torn ligament in his elbow, which means he will miss the entire 2025 season.

Gerrit Cole shared his thoughts on social media, emphasizing his commitment to the Yankees and his dream of winning a World Series for New York. He recognized the seriousness of the surgery but expressed hope and determination for his recovery. Cole stated, “I have a lot left to give, and I’m fully committed to the work ahead.” He remains focused on rehabilitation and supporting his team during his absence.

Before the surgery was planned, Cole made two Spring Training starts. In his first appearance, he struck out five batters in just over three innings. However, his second outing took a turn for the worse, allowing five hits and six earned runs against the Minnesota Twins. This raised concerns, leading to further tests on his elbow.

Last season, Cole was impressive when he was healthy, finishing with an 8-5 record and a 3.41 ERA over 95 innings. However, injuries have plagued him recently, limiting him to just 17 starts in 2024 due to nerve issues in his elbow.

His absence is especially hard for a Yankees rotation already struggling with injuries. Right-hander Luis Gil is out for at least three months with a lat strain, and Giancarlo Stanton also begins the season on the injured list with elbow problems. With Cole sidelined, the team is now looking to Max Fried to take the lead in their pitching rotation for 2025.

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