Look away, Yankees fans. Things don't appear too great for Gerrit Cole right now.
New York's ace pitcher is reportedly being recommended to have Tommy John surgery on his right elbow, according to MLB insider Jim Bowden.
Cole and the Yankeers are now waiting on a second opinion to confirm the diagnosis, Bowden added.
The news comes just one day after he had imaging done on his elbow. Cole pitched for the Yankees on Thursday during Spring Training action and was tagged for six runs and five hits in two and 2/3 innings by the Minnesota Twins.
While the former Cy Young winner initially felt fine after the game, discomfort grew in the coming days.
Cole spoke to reporters about his concerns on Saturday, noting "something wasn't right," in reference to his throwing elbow.
The 34-year-old was cautiously optimistic, saying he's "still got some hope" but it appears his distress may have been warranted, barring a positive second opinion.
Cole missed the start of last season because of nerve irritation and edema in his right elbow. The six-time All-Star went 8-5 with a 3.41 ERA in 17 starts, then was 1-0 with a 2.17 ERA in five post-season starts.
The right-hander signed a $324 million, nine-year contract before the 2020 season. He won the 2023 AL Cy Young Award, going 15-4 with an AL-best 2.63 ERA in 33 starts.
The Yankees have been hit hard by injuries during spring training. Right-hander Luis Gil is going to miss the start of the season because of a lat strain. Giancarlo Stanton also will begin the year on the injured list because of pain in both of his elbows. Infielder DJ LeMahieu has a left calf strain.
Stanton is going to have a third round of platelet-rich plasma injections. Speaking to reporters in Florida, the slugger described his elbow injuries as severe, but better than it was at the beginning of spring training.
-- with files from the Associated Press
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