The New York Yankees announced that pitcher Gerrit Cole will have Tommy John surgery, marking the end of his season before it even started. This news is a significant setback for the team as they prepare to defend their American League title.
Cole sought a second opinion from Dr. Neal ElAttrache, leading to the decision for surgery, which is scheduled for Tuesday at the Cedars-Sinai Kerlan-Jobe Institute in Los Angeles. The team plans to provide updates after the surgery.
This spring, Cole faced challenges on the mound. In two games, he gave up seven runs in six innings. His last outing against the Minnesota Twins was particularly tough; he allowed six runs in just under three innings. After experiencing intense pain, he informed the team and underwent imaging tests.
At 34 years old, Cole’s situation is reminiscent of last year’s injury scare, where he dealt with elbow pain but was diagnosed only with nerve irritation and edema. He managed to avoid surgery then, resting and rehabbing, and returned to pitch through the World Series without further issues.
Cole’s contributions last season were impressive. He pitched 124 innings across 22 games and excelled in the postseason, going deep into games and helping the Yankees reach the World Series. Over the winter, he even adjusted his training routine to kick off the season on a positive note. But now, just weeks into the new season, he faces another major hurdle.
This injury adds to the Yankees’ struggles as they also lost Luis Gil, the 2024 AL Rookie of the Year, to a lat strain expected to keep him out for at least three months. Without the two key pitchers, the starting rotation is set to include Max Fried, Carlos Rodon, and Clarke Schmidt, with Marcus Stroman likely moving up to the fourth spot. Rookie Will Warren and veteran Carlos Carrasco might complete the rotation.
Other players to consider are Allan Winans and Brent Headrick, who have less major league experience. The Yankees may also look to free agents like Kyle Gibson or Lance Lynn, or consider trades to strengthen their pitching staff.
Cole is a six-time All-Star and won the AL Cy Young Award in 2023, proving he is one of the top pitchers in the game. He has consistently pitched over 200 innings in six out of his ten full seasons. This impressive track record is why the Yankees signed him to a massive nine-year, $324 million contract, making history as the largest deal for a pitcher at that time.
The contract includes a unique opt-out clause, but Cole chose to stay with the Yankees instead of hitting the free agency market. The team has insurance to help offset some of the financial impact of his upcoming absence.
