It’s difficult to think of a worse preseason update than the one the New York Yankees got after primary pitcher Gerrit Cole reported “discomfort” in his throwing elbow and issues after a single Spring Training start and a practice game. Manager Aaron Boone
stated to reporters that the pitcher is going to Los Angeles to see a specialist, but he is anticipated to miss “at least” one to two months of the season before the results of that visit are known. Considering the next steps for the Yankees as they await more news about the seriousness of the problem,
ESPN’s Buster Olney indicated that the absence of public clarity around Cole’s recovery timeline might indicate the worst. “Now, his prognosis appears to be anywhere from a month to a season,” Olney wrote. “If Cole’s injury is catastrophic, this might help to explain the Yankees’ near-silence in the past 48 hours about their ace’s status.”
The New York Yankees Could Be Looking for a Trade or Free Agent to Sub for Gerrit Cole
Olney added that the Yankees might realize that they will be without Cole for a substantial period, but want to keep that information as private as possible as they seek leverage in trade discussions.
Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported that the Yankees and general manager Brian Cashman had re-engaged the Chicago White Sox on a trade for pitcher Dylan Cease shortly after Cole’s injury surfaced. Cease was ultimately traded to the San Diego Padres “Depending on the seriousness of Cole’s injury, Cashman might be under … pressure in these hours,” according to Olney..
Meanwhile, the cost of a top free agent pitching replacement like Blake Snell has been
seen as too expensive for a Yankees team that is above the highest luxury tax threshold. But if Cole’s injury turns out to be so severe that it impacts the nine-year, $324 million contract that he signed in 2019 , that might change.“According to industry sources the Yankees insured Cole’s contract, and depending on how long he is out, they will receive some financial relief that would help offset costs, if not the luxury taxes,” Olney reported. “But if Cole’s absence is short, that cost in dollars — as well as draft pick compensation — might be too onerous for the Yankees’ taste.”
With Gerrit Cole Injured, the New York Yankees Face Serious Roster Questions
MLB insider Bob Klapsich reported
that there’s no tear in Cole’s elbow, which means he can avoid a season-ending injury and return to the mound after “conservative therapy.” However, even that diagnosis wouldn’t clear the team from catastrophe. “A fraying of the UCL, no matter how minor, even if it’s undetectable in an MRI, is the beginning of a much more serious problem,” Klapsich added. “A rupture is likely to happen… Head it off now and you lose only one season, instead of parts of two should a blowout occur later in the summer.”
Further evaluations may not find a tear but they’re sure to find the results of
11 seasons and 1,859 innings . That would be “catastrophic” news for the Yankees if it means Cole has to miss any more than the earliest parts of the 2024 season.Even though they know that there is no way to replace an arm like Cole’s, the Yankees are
having difficulty finding a replacement for Opening Day , let alone an arm that can pitch at the top of the rotation.If the Yankees can’t address some of those questions soon, their silence on Cole will become noticeable.
The New York Yankees may have more information about Gerrit Cole’s injury than they are revealing as they try to strengthen the rotation.
