New York Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole will be sidelined for three to four weeks due to nerve irritation and edema in his throwing elbow. The decision was made after Cole experienced difficulty in bouncing back following spring training starts. Cole attributed the issue to pushing himself too hard too quickly, emphasizing the importance of hitting baseline recovery during this time of the year.
If necessary, Cole may be placed on the 60-day injured list, potentially delaying his return until late May. The Yankees' general manager mentioned that Cole will require a period resembling spring training once he resumes throwing before rejoining the team.
Cole, a recipient of the AL Cy Young award, sought medical advice from Dr. Neal ElAttrache, an elbow specialist with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Despite the uncertainty of the situation, Cole expressed confidence in the treatment plan after consulting with experts.
In Cole's absence, Nestor Cortes is set to start the season opener on March 28 against the Houston Astros. Cole, who is in the fifth year of a lucrative contract, has the option to become a free agent after the season, with the Yankees having a provision to retain him by offering a guaranteed salary for 2029.
Meanwhile, outfielder Aaron Judge has been participating in defensive and base-running drills after undergoing an MRI for an abdominal issue. The team remains optimistic about Judge's progress, viewing his absence from spring training games as a timing concern rather than a significant setback.
As the Yankees navigate these health challenges, they are focused on ensuring the well-being and recovery of their key players to optimize their performance in the upcoming season.
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