Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole sidelined 2 months at season start due to elbow injury

Reports from the New York Post reveal that Gerrit Cole, the ace pitcher for the New York Yankees, will be sidelined for at least one to two months at the beginning of the upcoming season due to an elbow injury. The extent of the injury will become clearer after Cole’s visit with renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles.

According to the Post, both Yankees team doctors and Dr. ElAttrache have examined the results of Cole’s MRI, which was conducted on Monday. Although initial findings have not indicated a torn ulnar collateral ligament, there are concerns regarding the ligament’s condition that warrant an in-person evaluation by Dr. ElAttrache.

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The decision for Cole to undergo the MRI was announced by manager Aaron Boone on Monday, as the right-handed pitcher has been experiencing longer-than-usual recovery periods after throwing sessions. This setback comes after Cole’s sole appearance in spring training, where he allowed three runs on four hits in two innings against the Toronto Blue Jays on March 1st.

Gerrit Cole’s absence poses a significant loss for the Yankees, given his exceptional performance during the previous season. In 2023, Cole was unanimously awarded the American League Cy Young Award, boasting an impressive 15-4 record while leading the league in ERA (2.63) and WHIP (0.98) across 33 starts. His dominance on the mound included striking out 222 batters over 209 innings.

With a stellar career spanning various teams, including the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Houston Astros before joining the Yankees, Cole has earned six All-Star selections. Since signing a lucrative nine-year, $324 million deal with the Yankees in December 2019, Cole has shouldered a heavy workload, accumulating 664 innings pitched over 108 starts.

Considering Cole’s extensive pitching history, which includes a total of 1,859 innings throughout his career, the Yankees are undoubtedly taking a cautious approach to his injury. The upcoming consultation with Dr. ElAttrache will provide crucial insights into Cole’s condition and the necessary steps for his recovery.

As fans await further updates on Cole’s health, the Yankees will need to strategize their pitching rotation and adjust their plans for the start of the season in his absence. Cole’s setback underscores the unpredictable nature of sports injuries and the challenges teams face in managing their star players’ health and performance.