Yankees ace Gerrit Cole to undergo Tommy John surgery, out for 2025 season
New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole will undergo Tommy John surgery and miss the entire 2025 season, the team announced on Monday.
The six-time All-Star right-hander will have the procedure on Tuesday. It will be performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache, the same surgeon who repaired Aaron Rodgers' torn Achilles.
Cole addressed the issue in a post on social media.
"From the time I first dreamed of wearing the Yankees uniform, my goal has always been to help bring a World Series championship to New York," Cole wrote. "That dream hasn't changed. I still believe in it, and I'm more determined than ever to achieve it.
"Today, the most respected medical experts in the field recommend that I undergo Tommy John surgery. This isn't the news any athlete wants to hear, but it's the necessary next step for my career.
"I have a lot left to give, and I'm fully committed to the work ahead. I'll attack my rehab every day and support the 2025 Yankees each step of the way. I love this game, I love competing, and I can't wait to be back on the mound stronger than ever.
"See you soon."
Cole had elbow soreness after spring training start
Cole, 34, had tests on his right elbow after he allowed six runs on five hits in two-thirds of an inning during his last spring training outing on Thursday. He said he felt good during the game, but got more sore afterwards.
"Something wasn't right," Cole told reporters days later.
The righty sought a second opinion before opting for season-ending surgery.
Cole was plagued by an injury during spring training last season too. He missed the beginning of the 2024 regular season due to nerve irritation in his pitching elbow. Cole wound up pitching to an 8-5 record with a 3.41 ERA over 17 starts. He was 1-0 with a 2.17 ERA in five postseason starts, including Game 5 of the World Series.
The Yankees signed Cole to a nine-year, $324 million contract before the 2020 season. He initially opted out after the 2024 World Series, but then rescinded his opt-out.
In his career, Cole is 59-28 with a 3.12 ERA in 125 games for the Yankees.
Yankees injury list grows
Cole's injury is another early blow to New York's starters. Luis Gil, the 2024 American League Rookie of the Year, suffered a lat strain in camp and is expected to miss at least three months. The injuries mean the Yankees' once-vaunted starting rotation is now down to Max Fried, Carlos Rodon, Clarke Schmidt and Marcus Stroman, who was almost certainly the odd man out when camp started.
What, if anything, general manager Brian Cashman does in response to the injuries will be telling, considering the Yankees came into camp as the favorites to represent the American League in the World Series.
The Yankees' injury woes aren't just impacting the rotation. Slugger Giancarlo Stanton was scheduled for a third round of platelet-rich plasma injections because of pain in his elbows, which he said is severe, and will also begin the season on the injured list. In addition, infielder DJ LeMahieu is dealing with a left calf strain.
