Yankees ace Gerrit Cole travels to California to be examined by Dr. Neal ElAttrache

By Canadian Press on March 10, 2025.

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Yankees ace Gerrit Cole has traveled to California to have his pitching elbow examined by Dr. Neal ElAttrache, New York manager Aaron Boone told the YES Network.

The 34-year-old right-hander experienced discomfort following his second spring training outing Thursday.

Boone said in a midgame interview during Monday’s exhibition against Detroit that Cole’s status was uncertain.

“Back in LA meeting with ElAttrache, just getting all the eyes on it and everyone to weigh in and we’ll make the best decision from there,” Boone said.

Cole told reporters on Saturday, including one for MLB.com, that imaging had been distributed, and he was seeking additional input.

“I’ve still got some hope,” he was quoted as saying.

General manager Brian Cashman was quoted by the New York Post on Sunday as saying he was “prepared for the worst.”

Cashman had said Thursday that AL Rookie of the Year Luis Gil will be sidelined for at least three months because of a strained lat muscle.

“You’ve got to be able to handle it and deal with it and maneuver,” Boone said. “It’s not a death sentence for us by any means, so it’s an opportunity for someone else. And, look, if it is where he does have to go get surgery, hopefully that something, too, that not only serves us well in the long haul instead of like if he’s compromised at all or in a tough situation. The reality is Gerrit still has a lot of pitching in front of him in his career and pitching with the Yankees and we want that to be as successful as it’s been already.”

Cole signed a $324 million, nine-year contract before the 2020 season.

After winning the 2023 AL Cy Young Award, the six-time All-Star met last March with ElAttrache, the Dodgers’ head team physician.

Cole didn’t make his first big league start last year until June 19 because of nerve irritation and edema in his right elbow. He went 8-5 with a 3.41 ERA in 17 starts, and then was 1-0 with a 2.17 ERA in five postseason starts.

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The Associated Press