The New York Yankees placed ace Gerrit Cole on the 60-day injured list due to elbow inflammation, the team announced Thursday.
The earliest the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner can pitch in the major leagues is May 27. The team announced on March 16 that the right-hander won't throw for three to four weeks due to nerve irritation and edema in his throwing elbow.
The Yankees said earlier in the spring that Cole was experiencing issues bouncing back following spring training starts.
The 33-year-old travelled to Los Angeles to be examined by Dodgers team physician Dr. Neal ElAttrache, an elbow expert.
Cole is entering the fifth season of a $324 million, nine-year contract that pays $36 million annually. He has the right to opt out after the season and become a free agent, but if he opts out the Yankees can void the opt-out by adding a guaranteed $36 million salary for 2029.
The Yankees open their season against the Houston Astros on Thursday. With Cole unavailable, Nestor Cortes gets the Opening Day start for New York.
New York placed infielder DJ LeMahieu on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to Monday, with a bruised right foot. With LeMahieu out, manager Aaron Boone moved Gleyber Torres to the leadoff spot to face left-hander Framber Valdez.
The Yankees also placed infielder Oswald Peraza on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to Monday, with a right shoulder strain and added infielder Jon Berti to the active roster a day after he was acquired from Miami.
Also placed on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to Monday, were right-handers Tommy Kahnle (right shoulder inflammation) and McKinley Moore (right knee bursitis).
Right-hander Luis Gil was recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and the Yankees selected the contract of right-hander Nick Burdi from Scranton.
— With files from Sportsnet
