The “worst” is here for the Yankees.
Gerrit Cole is going to need season-ending Tommy John surgery, the Yankees announced Monday.
Cole had undergone testing after feeling discomfort in his elbow following his second spring training start.
“[I’m] prepared for the worst,” Yankees GM Brian Cashman said Sunday. “We will see how it plays out. I’m always wired to think the worst and hope for the best… Obviously not what you want, but it’s ultimately part of our journey here in 2025.”
Cole missed the first half of the 2024 season with nerve irritation in his elbow, but was stellar in 17 starts in his return.
Now, the Yankees will have to deal with a full season missing their best pitcher.
Will Warren and Carlos Carrasco are the most likely replacements in rotation for the Yankees’ ace, though it is a crushing blow for the rotation that had already lost reigning AL Rookie of the Year Luis Gil for the beginning of the season with a high-grade lat strain.
More to come on this developing story.