Yankees face uncertain future as Gerrit Cole to undergo Tommy John surgery
Pranjal Chandra | Mar 11, 2025, 10:18 IST
( Image credit : AP )
Ace pitcher Gerrit Cole will miss the entire 2025 season due to Tommy John surgery, a significant blow to the New York Yankees' World Series ambitions. His absence raises concerns about the team's pitching depth and ability to compete effectively.
The New York Yankees' hopes for a dominant 2025 season suffered a devastating blow with the announcement that ace pitcher Gerrit Cole will undergo Tommy John surgery, sidelining him for the entire year. The loss of Cole, widely regarded as one of Major League Baseball’s most formidable arms, casts a shadow over the Yankees’ bid to return to the World Series and raises pressing questions about the team’s pitching depth.
Cole, 34, experienced discomfort in his right elbow during spring training, prompting extensive testing that ultimately confirmed the need for surgery. The procedure, scheduled for Tuesday at Cedars-Sinai Kerlan-Jobe Institute in Los Angeles, will be performed by renowned sports surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache. This marks a significant setback for the Yankees, who relied heavily on Cole’s leadership and performance throughout past seasons.
Cole, the 2023 American League Cy Young Award winner, was no stranger to elbow concerns even before this latest development. He missed time at the start of the 2024 season due to similar issues, though he avoided surgery and returned in time to make 17 starts. Despite the limited outings, Cole was instrumental in leading the Yankees to the postseason, where he played a key role in securing the American League pennant. However, the season ended in heartbreak as the Los Angeles Dodgers mounted an incredible comeback in Game 5 of the World Series, a game in which Cole was on the mound.
When the Yankees arrived at spring training in February, Cole expressed confidence in his offseason preparation, having started his throwing program earlier than usual. He told reporters he felt he was “in a really good spot.” However, concerns arose when reports surfaced last week that he was undergoing further medical evaluation after experiencing renewed discomfort. The Athletic later confirmed that doctors had recommended Tommy John surgery, though Cole initially sought a second opinion before ultimately deciding to go forward with the procedure.
Losing Cole presents a significant challenge for the Yankees, who were already dealing with key roster changes. Earlier this offseason, they lost superstar outfielder Juan Soto to their crosstown rivals, the New York Mets, in a staggering 15-year, $765 million deal. While the Yankees made proactive moves to bolster their pitching rotation—most notably signing top free-agent left-hander Max Fried—Cole’s absence leaves a massive void at the top of their starting rotation.
Fried, a proven ace in his own right, will now shoulder the responsibility of leading the Yankees' pitching staff. Beyond Fried, the rotation will lean on Carlos Rodón, Nestor Cortes, and Clarke Schmidt, but none of them offer the same consistency and dominance that Cole brought to the mound. The Yankees may now explore external options, potentially seeking reinforcements through trades or late free-agent signings to stabilize their pitching staff.
When healthy, Cole has demonstrated an ability to dominate like few pitchers in MLB history. He has twice led the American League in earned-run average and strikeouts, including a staggering 326-strikeout season in 2019. His career strikeout-to-walk ratio ranks among the best all-time, cementing his place as one of the most reliable and efficient pitchers of his generation.
However, Tommy John surgery is a long and arduous process, with recovery timelines typically spanning 12 to 18 months. Given Cole’s age and workload over the years, his return to peak form in 2026 remains uncertain. The Yankees and their fans must now grapple with the reality of a season without their ace and the lingering question of whether he will regain his elite status upon his return.
As the Yankees navigate this difficult situation, one thing remains certain: The road to the postseason just became significantly more challenging. The loss of Gerrit Cole will test the team’s resilience, forcing them to adapt and find new ways to compete in a highly competitive American League. Whether they can weather the storm without their ace remains to be seen, but one thing is clear—2025 will be a season of adjustments and uncertainties for the Bronx Bombers.
Cole, 34, experienced discomfort in his right elbow during spring training, prompting extensive testing that ultimately confirmed the need for surgery. The procedure, scheduled for Tuesday at Cedars-Sinai Kerlan-Jobe Institute in Los Angeles, will be performed by renowned sports surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache. This marks a significant setback for the Yankees, who relied heavily on Cole’s leadership and performance throughout past seasons.
Cole’s injury history and recent struggles
When the Yankees arrived at spring training in February, Cole expressed confidence in his offseason preparation, having started his throwing program earlier than usual. He told reporters he felt he was “in a really good spot.” However, concerns arose when reports surfaced last week that he was undergoing further medical evaluation after experiencing renewed discomfort. The Athletic later confirmed that doctors had recommended Tommy John surgery, though Cole initially sought a second opinion before ultimately deciding to go forward with the procedure.
What this means for the Yankees
Fried, a proven ace in his own right, will now shoulder the responsibility of leading the Yankees' pitching staff. Beyond Fried, the rotation will lean on Carlos Rodón, Nestor Cortes, and Clarke Schmidt, but none of them offer the same consistency and dominance that Cole brought to the mound. The Yankees may now explore external options, potentially seeking reinforcements through trades or late free-agent signings to stabilize their pitching staff.
A look at Cole’s legacy and road to recovery
However, Tommy John surgery is a long and arduous process, with recovery timelines typically spanning 12 to 18 months. Given Cole’s age and workload over the years, his return to peak form in 2026 remains uncertain. The Yankees and their fans must now grapple with the reality of a season without their ace and the lingering question of whether he will regain his elite status upon his return.
As the Yankees navigate this difficult situation, one thing remains certain: The road to the postseason just became significantly more challenging. The loss of Gerrit Cole will test the team’s resilience, forcing them to adapt and find new ways to compete in a highly competitive American League. Whether they can weather the storm without their ace remains to be seen, but one thing is clear—2025 will be a season of adjustments and uncertainties for the Bronx Bombers.