TAMPA — The Yankees spring training from hell continued Saturday, with Gerrit Cole saying he is “concerned” about his elbow injury that he suffered after his most recent spring training start.
Cole said images taken Friday night gave him “an initial idea” of the injury, but he’s waiting for more opinions before deciding the next step.
Asked if he was worried about having to undergo surgery on the same elbow that caused him to be shut down for much of the first half of last season, Cole said, “I’m concerned. I’m hoping for the best.”
But Cole understands the reality of having an elbow issue in consecutive spring trainings
Gerrit Cole pitches during the Yankees-Blue Jays spring training game on Feb. 28, 2025.Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
A year ago, Cole was diagnosed with elbow nerve inflammation and edema after making his first start of the spring, and the injury sidelined him until June.
He returned to make 17 regular-season starts and pitch in the playoffs.
There’s no guarantee he or the Yankees will be as fortunate this time around, and they’ve already had reigning AL Rookie of the Year Luis Gil hit the injured list with a high-grade lat strain, which is expected to keep the right-hander out at least through midseason.
As to whether this injury was worse than last year’s, Cole said, “It’s hard to answer that. We’ll see what the experts say.”
Gil’s injury forced Marcus Stroman into the rotation, and if Cole is forced to miss time, Will Warren is likely to take his spot.
All of this comes after Cole’s second outing of the spring on Thursday, when the right-hander gave up six runs in 2 ²/₃ innings against the Twins while building his pitch count up to 54.
Afterward, the ace said he was pleased with his fastball velocity — which averaged 95.7 mph and topped out at 97.6 mph — but added he struggled with his command.
Gerrit Cole pitches during the Yankees-Blue Jays spring training game on Feb. 28, 2025.Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
And things got worse from there.
While he felt fine during the start, Cole said that changed when he left the ballpark.
“As I got home, it continued to get more and more sore,” Cole said. “Something wasn’t right. … It was tough to sleep. It was alarming the next morning.”
The injury comes after Cole and the Yankees altered his offseason throwing program, which included him throwing in November.
“We came up with a plan to mitigate the risks and I executed it,” Cole said. “I felt the best I had in some time leading up [to the last start].”
The fact the Yankees drew up a detailed plan for Cole, who then followed that plan step-by-step, and still this scare has unfolded was especially frustrating to Aaron Boone.
Gerrit cole crouches behind the mound before pitching during the Yankees-Blue Jays spring training game on Feb. 28, 2025.Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
“I think Gerrit’s done everything he could to just put himself in a position, physically, to give himself the best chance,” the manager said before the Yankees played the Astros at the Park of the Palm Beaches. “We’ll see if that’s good enough.”
Cole opted out of his contract in the offseason, hoping the Yankees would negate it by adding an extra year at $36 million to the end of his deal.
Instead, the Yankees made no new offer and Cole was forced to opt back into the existing contract, which has four years and $144 million remaining rather than explore free agency.
“It’s very tough,’’ Clarke Schmidt said of the potential loss of Cole. “There’s not a way to sugarcoat it. He’s a top of the league-type guy.”
Gerrit Cole (L.) walks off the mound after pitching during Yankees-Blue Jays spring training game on Feb. 28, 2025.Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
The Yankees weathered his loss last year and added Max Fried in the offseason.
Now, they’ll likely have to rely on the inexperienced Warren or another option such as Carlos Carrasco.
“The situation sucks,’’ Warren said of the pitching health woes. “It’s an unfortunate spot. There’s definitely an opportunity there and that’s what I’ve been working for.”
Cole and Gil are not alone when it comes to major injury concerns for the Yankees, as Giancarlo Stanton (elbows) and DJ LeMahieu (calf) are also sidelined.
And in the bullpen, Jake Cousins (forearm) and lefty Tyler Matzek (oblique) are out.
Cole called the spate of injuries in camp “pretty brutal.”
Gerrit Cole battled an elbow issue last season.Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
Boone was not ready to declare the 2025 Yankees cursed, thinking back to 2019, when the team set a then-record by having 30 players land on the injured list.
“This [is] nothing compared to what we faced in ’19 from an injury standpoint,” Boone said. “It created opportunities for people, and people took advantage of it.”
Cole hopes to have more answers soon and called the feeling of this elbow “pretty much the same” as the one that he suffered a year ago.
“I’ve still got some hope,” Cole said.