Gerrit Cole’s situation with the New York Yankees just took a serious turn. After seeking a second opinion from Dr. Neal ElAttrache, a well-known sports surgeon, the team announced that Cole will need Tommy John surgery. Unfortunately, this means he will miss all of the 2025 season and part of 2026, as recovery usually takes about 12 to 18 months.
Before the surgery was confirmed, Yankees manager Aaron Boone mentioned that losing their star pitcher wasn’t a “death sentence” for the team, but it’s hard to overstate Cole’s importance. The Yankees are already missing Luis Gil, who will be out for at least three months due to a lat strain. Losing two top pitchers is a tough challenge for any team, especially with the season just around the corner.
The Yankees entered the season with a strong starting rotation, but things have changed quickly. To strengthen their team after losing Juan Soto in free agency, they signed Max Fried and made moves to bolster their bullpen with Devin Williams. Now, however, their rotation looks shaky.
Marcus Stroman, who was nearly traded in the offseason, is expected to be the No. 3 starter. Clarke Schmidt will be a bit delayed in his return, but he’s set to make his spring training debut soon. Rookie Will Warren, who had a rough start last season, may also be in the rotation. He has shown improvement this spring and is looking more confident, especially against left-handed hitters. Veteran pitcher Carlos Carrasco is still in the mix, though his recent performance hasn’t been great.
All eyes are on Carlos Rodón too. He has struggled to meet expectations since signing a big contract two seasons ago.
Here’s a quick look at the projected Yankees starting rotation and their expected ERAs:
- Max Fried: 3.42
- Carlos Rodón: 3.97
- Marcus Stroman: 4.45
- Will Warren: 3.84
- Clarke Schmidt: 4.02
The options for adding players via free agency are limited. Names like Patrick Corbin and Lance Lynn come to mind, but they may not significantly improve the team. The Yankees might also consider a trade for someone like Sandy Alcantara or Dylan Cease, but that would come at a high cost.
The future for Cole remains uncertain. He will miss what could be a crucial part of his career. Generally, pitchers start to decline in their mid-30s, and Cole has already shown signs of this. While many recover well from Tommy John surgery, the timing is unfortunate for him. He was also still in the middle of a substantial contract, with four years left and $144 million remaining. The Yankees’ choice not to pick up his 10th-year option now seems wise.
Cole has always valued durability and is proud of his achievements on the mound. With 153 career wins, reaching the milestone of 200 wins may now seem more difficult given his injury. He expressed his love for the game, noting that each performance is a chance to help his team win.
For now, the Yankees will need to adjust without their ace, and fans will have to wait at least a year to see him back on the mound.
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New York Yankees, MLB
