The New York Yankees’ championship aspirations suffered a significant setback Monday as the organization confirmed ace pitcher Gerrit Cole will undergo Tommy John surgery, effectively ending his 2025 campaign and potentially impacting the start of his 2026 season.
Cole, 34, is scheduled for the procedure Tuesday at Cedars-Sinai Kerlan-Jobe Institute in Los Angeles, where renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache will perform the operation.
The six-time All-Star and 2023 American League Cy Young Award winner addressed the development on social media, expressing his continued commitment to the organization despite the setback.
“From the time I first dreamed of wearing the Yankees uniform, my goal has always been to help bring a World Series championship to New York. That dream hasn’t changed—I’m still believing in it, and I’m more determined than ever to achieve it,” Cole wrote on Instagram.
Cole’s injury troubles became apparent during spring training when he exhibited command issues despite maintaining a velocity that reached 98 mph. The right-hander had previously dealt with elbow nerve irritation last season, raising concerns about his long-term health.
After consulting with multiple specialists and reviewing recent MRI results, the Yankees and Cole arrived at the difficult decision to proceed with surgery, which typically requires 10-12 months recovery timeline.
Rotation reconstruction underway
Hunter Roybal@Instagram
With Opening Day rapidly approaching, the Yankees must now reconfigure their starting rotation. The team is expected to lean on recently acquired left-hander Max Fried to assume the role of staff ace, followed by Carlos Rodón, Marcus Stroman, and Clarke Schmidt.
The fifth rotation spot has emerged as a compelling competition between prospects and veterans. Will Warren, 25, strengthened his candidacy Monday with another impressive Grapefruit League performance against the Detroit Tigers, allowing just one earned run over 3.2 innings. The right-hander has compiled a stellar 1.54 ERA across four spring appearances.
Yoendrys Gómez has also made a strong case for inclusion on the major league roster, maintaining a perfect 0.00 ERA through his four spring outings. The promising right-hander added 2.1 scoreless innings Monday, potentially positioning himself for either a bullpen role or spot starts.
Cole’s surgery comes at a pivotal time in his contract situation. The right-hander has four years and $144 million remaining on his nine-year, $324 million deal signed prior to the 2020 season. This past winter, Cole exercised his opt-out clause, but the Yankees declined to add an additional guaranteed year, nullifying the opt-out and maintaining the original contract terms.
Despite facing an extended absence, Cole expressed unwavering dedication to his recovery process.
“I have a lot left to give, and I’m fully committed to the work ahead. I’ll attack my rehab every day and support the 2025 Yankees each step of the way,” he stated.
Roster moves signal Yankees life without Cole
Following Monday’s exhibition game, the Yankees made several roster adjustments, reassigning outfielder Duke Ellis, catcher Rafael Flores, right-hander Erick Leal, and infielder T.J. Rumfield to minor league camp. Additionally, catcher Jesús Rodríguez was optioned to Double-A Somerset.
These moves indicate the organization is finalizing its roster construction with an eye toward internal solutions for their pitching challenges.
The loss of Cole represents a significant obstacle for a Yankees team with championship expectations in 2025. The organization must now determine whether its internal options provide sufficient depth or if external acquisitions are necessary to remain competitive in the talent-rich American League East.
As Cole begins his rehabilitation journey, he leaves fans with a message of resilience: “I love this game, I love competing, and I can’t wait to be back on the mound—stronger than ever. See you soon.”
The Yankees open their regular season at home on March 27 against the Milwaukee Brewers, beginning what promises to be a campaign defined by adaptation and resilience in the face of adversity.
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