New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole has been scheduled for an MRI after experiencing “discomfort” in his right elbow. On Monday, Yankees manager Aaron Boone told reporters that the reigning AL Cy Young winner has not been recovering as expected between spring outings. Boone said that Cole “usually doesn’t have the recovery issues he’s having,” and he is experiencing a “level of discomfort.” However, he stopped short of saying that Cole was in pain.
Yankees Gerrit Cole to Have MRI for Elbow Injury
The 33-year-old started his first spring against the Toronto Blue Jays on March 1st. He threw 39 pitches and gave up three runs over two innings in the Yankees win over the Blue Jays. Cole threw 47 pitches across three innings in a simulated game six days later but made no mention of any discomfort when speaking to reporters afterward. Tuesday would be Gerrit’s scheduled day to pitch, but the Yankees have yet to say who will take his place.
Gerrit Cole is having an MRI on his pitching elbow, Aaron Boone told reporters in Clearwater.
— Bryan Hoch ⚾️ (@BryanHoch) March 11, 2024
Boone said that Gerrit Cole has been having trouble with his recovery between starts. According to Boone, Cole likened it to what he feels during the season after 100 pitches.
— Bryan Hoch ⚾️ (@BryanHoch) March 11, 2024
Gerrit Cole is among the most durable starting pitchers in the major leagues. Cole has only experienced minor hamstring injury since signing his nine-year, $324 million contract. Boone said that Cole’s strength tests have been good, but he’s struggling to get to that fifth or sixth day. The Yankees do not expect a definitive answer on Cole’s prognosis immediately given their plans to get multiple opinions. Cole missed six weeks over two stints on the injured list with elbow inflammation with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2016. This is the only other arm injury Gerrit has had in his career.
Will Cole Miss Time?
Losing Cole for any time would be a devastating blow for the Yankees and their already shaky rotation. New York is trying to return to the postseason after their 82-80 season in 2023. Carlos Rodón and Nestor Cortes spent time on the Yankees’ injured list last season with Cortes being shut down in September. The newest member of the Yankees’ rotation, Marcus Stroman, also missed time last season with inflammation in his right hip. New York sent four pitchers including Michael King, Jhony Brito, and Randy Vásquez to San Diego for Juan Soto this offseason. Clarke Schmidt has had a relatively strong spring despite giving up four runs over 2.2 innings against the Braves on Sunday. Schmidt, who started 32 games last season is expected to return to the rotation in 2024, barring a late addition.
New York is hoping that their ace’s injury is nothing and seem to be erring on the side of caution by ordering an MRI. For now, the Yankees are going to have to hope for the best for Cole until there is a prognosis.
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