The New York Yankees were bracing for bad news when their star pitcher, Gerrit Cole, experienced an elbow issue that required an MRI for evaluation.
In 2024, Cole narrowly avoided Tommy John surgery, missing part of the season but returning to help the Yankees reach the World Series for the first time since 2009.
Unfortunately, this time, luck wasn’t on his side.
According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, Cole will undergo Tommy John surgery on March 11 to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his throwing elbow, effectively ending his 2025 season before it even started.
This is a major setback for the Yankees.
Cole has been their top pitcher since joining the team ahead of the 2020 season, and the Yankees had hoped to pair him with Max Fried, whom they signed this winter, to form an elite one-two punch at the top of their rotation.
Now, like in previous seasons, the Yankees will have only one elite starter at the top of their rotation.
Cole’s injury also highlights the ongoing injury struggles the Yankees have faced this spring.
Giancarlo Stanton could miss the entire 2025 season due to his own elbow issues. Reigning AL Rookie of the Year Luis Gil is also expected to miss significant time early in the season. Meanwhile, DJ LeMahieu is already dealing with an injury, forcing New York to explore other third-base options.
It’s been a tough start for the Yankees ahead of the new season, and with their ace out for the year, they’ll face a challenging road ahead if they hope to stay on top of the AL East and make another World Series run.
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