The disastrous scenario when it comes to Gerrit Cole’s elbow injury has been confirmed.
After seeking a second opinion, the Yankee ace appears headed for season-ending Tommy John surgery, the team announced Monday, as the Bombers have been dealt another devastating blow in what has been a nightmare spring training so far.
"Gerrit Cole was seen earlier today at Cedars-Sinai Kerlan-Jobe Institute in Los Angeles by Dr. Neal ElAttrache and is now scheduled to undergo 'Tommy John' surgery tomorrow," the Yanks said in a statement. "Dr. ElAttrache will perform the surgery."
Cole was knocked around in his spring debut, but came away feeling encouraged by his velocity and how he felt. But he experience soreness later that night, leading him to undergo testing that revealed the need for Tommy John.
The 34-year-old missed extended time last season with elbow inflammation after initial fears that Tommy John could be on the table, but he returned and pitched to a 3.41 ERA before posting a 2.17 ERA in the playoffs. Cole opted out of his nine-year, $324 million contract shortly after the Yanks lost the World Series, but the two sides agreed that the righty return on his original deal.
The starting rotation was expected to be the best in baseball in 2025 after the Yankees signed Max Fried in the offseason, but now, Cole is done for the year, reigning Rookie of the Year Luis Gil is out at least three months with a high-grade lat strain, and Clarke Schmidt is finally making his spring training debut on Monday after dealing with a “cranky back.”
As for Cole, the undeniable ace of the Yankees staff for the past five years, it is a devastating loss that can impact his preparation for 2026 as well. The 2023 Cy Young winner boasts a 3.12 ERA in 759 career innings in pinstripes.