The Yankees got some troubling news Friday night as ace Gerrit Cole underwent tests on his throwing elbow after a rough outing against the Twins in spring training.
It’s just the latest in a string of injuries hitting the Yankees this spring. According to Jon Morosi of MLB Network, Cole had “diagnostic tests with full results expected in a couple of days to determine his status for the start of the regular season.”
Cole, 34, spoke with reporters Saturday morning and didn’t hide his concern about what the imaging might reveal.
“I’m concerned. I’m hoping for the best,” Cole told The New York Post. “We have an initial idea.”
“As I got home, it continued to get more and more sore. Something wasn’t right.”
The reigning AL Cy Young winner described the lingering soreness after his Twins start as “alarming” and admitted “it was tough to sleep.”
This isn’t Cole’s first elbow issue. He missed most of the first half of 2024 with what turned out to be a nerve problem in his throwing elbow. When he returned after the All-Star break, he looked like his dominant self again.
The numbers tell the story. In 12 second-half starts, Cole went 6-4 with a 2.76 ERA, 73 strikeouts, 20 walks and a 1.02 WHIP across 71.2 innings.
Cole began throwing earlier than usual this offseason after last year’s elbow troubles. The strategy seemed to be working – he was showing impressive velocity in his early spring appearances.
When a pitcher of Cole’s caliber mentions being both hopeful and concerned about his elbow, it’s never a good sign. The Yankees should have more clarity in the coming days, but they might need to start preparing contingency plans for their rotation.
