Mar 6, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA;New York Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole (45) pauses before taking the mound against the Minnesota Twins during the first inning at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Dave Nelson-Imagn Images

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Gerrit Cole injury update: What happened to the Yankees ace?

Who said it will not get worse?

THEY SAID IT COULDN’T GET WORSE. THEY SAY THAT EVERY YEAR. And yet, here we are, staring down another gut punch as Yankees ace Gerrit Cole is now headed for tests on his throwing elbow after giving up six earned runs in a spring outing yesterday.

Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports that Cole will undergo “diagnostic tests,” though it’s unclear whether the Yankees fear a serious injury or if this is just precautionary. Either way, it’s not the kind of news you want to hear about the 2023 Cy Young winner, especially after he already missed the first two months of 2024 with elbow soreness.

Gerrit Cole is undergoing diagnostic tests on his throwing elbow, source says.

Cole’s status should be clearer within the next couple days.

He gave up 6 ER in a spring outing yesterday. @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) March 8, 2025

Almost exactly a year ago, Aaron Boone revealed that Gerrit Cole, then known for his longevity and durability, was having trouble recovering between throwing sessions, leading to an MRI that thankfully showed no structural damage. But inflammation forced a lengthy shutdown, keeping him out until mid-June. Gerrit Cole is now headed for another MRI.

ALSO READ: Giancarlo Stanton injury: What it means for the Yankees outfield

Without Gerrit Cole, and Luis Gil, the Yankees rotation will be led by Max Fried, followed by Carlos Rodon, Clarke Schmidt, Marcus Stroman, and Will Warren.

And now? Now we wait, again, hoping this is just a blip and not the start of something worse. Because after everything, the Yankees cannot afford to lose Gerrit Cole. Not this year. Not in this already ominous 2025.

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.