Feb 12, 2025; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole (45) participates in spring training workouts at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

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Bad news looming? Gerrit Cole ‘concerned’ about upcoming test results

"I've still got some hope, but..."

“There’s no way to sugarcoat it – he’s a top-of-the-league guy and has been an ace in this league for a long, long time. He’ll be missed if it’s something longer-term.”

That’s Yankees pitcher Clarke Schmidt talking about Gerrit Cole, and it pretty much sums up where things stand. Cole, the reigning American League Cy Young winner, is officially concerned about his right elbow after experiencing discomfort following a recent Grapefruit League start. And when an ace of his caliber says he’s worried, who held the reputation of being extremely tough and durable for the longest time, the entire Yankees fanbase has reason to hold its breath.

Cole underwent an initial round of imaging, but the team is waiting on full results before making any determinations. That doesn’t mean the waiting is easy.

Is Gerrit Cole concerned?

“I’m concerned,” Cole admitted. “I’ve still got some hope… but I’m concerned.”

Gerrit Cole: “I’m concerned.” Said he’s “hopeful.” But “I’m concerned.”
— Erik Boland (@eboland11) March 8, 2025

This isn’t unfamiliar territory for Cole or the Yankees. Last year, he missed the first two months of the season due to elbow inflammation and edema, eventually rehabbing his way back without surgery. This time, so far, no one is ruling anything out.

“There were a lot of good things happening in the game the other day,” Cole said. “But as I got home, I just continued to get more and more sore. When I woke up [Friday] morning, something wasn’t right… It was tough to sleep. It was alarming.”

That’s the last thing the Yankees want to hear, especially with Opening Day looming. If Cole’s injury turns out to be serious, their rotation is already on thin ice. Rookie right-hander Will Warren (1.13 ERA in eight spring innings) could be called upon, while non-roster invitees Carlos Carrasco and Allan Winans may also get a look. Not exactly the reinforcements you want when your $324 million ace is in limbo.

The Yankees’ injury troubles don’t stop at Cole. Luis Gil is out for at least three months with a lat strain, while Giancarlo Stanton and DJ LeMahieu are both expected to begin the season on the injured list.

ALSO READ: Yankees injury updates: Nightmare continues with worrying news on Luis Gil, Giancarlo Stanton, and DJ LeMahieu

For now, all anyone can do is wait. And hope. But if the reigning Cy Young winner is worried, maybe everyone else should be too.

Gerrit Cole

Injury

Yankees

Mohsin Baldiwala

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Mohsin Baldiwala is a Master’s student in Journalism and freelance content producer who got hooked on baseball through Seinfeld’s hapless George Costanza. The same reason why he’s a Yankees fan. He writes about sports because he believes it can offer a brief escape from the world’s chaos. Even if that means enduring the heartbreak of the 2024 World Series.