New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole will undergo Tommy John surgery on Tuesday, the team announced Monday.
Cole, 34, experienced elbow discomfort after a spring training start last Thursday, prompting medical evaluations.
This marks the second straight spring Cole has dealt with an injury. Last year, he experienced elbow inflammation that delayed his season debut until June.
The Yankees have been hit hard by injuries, with Giancarlo Stanton and DJ LeMahieu expected to start the season on the injured list. The rotation also lost Luis Gil, who will miss at least three months with a lat strain.
New York’s rotation now consists of Max Fried, Carlos Rodón, Marcus Stroman, and Clarke Schmidt. Rookie right-hander Will Warren is a top candidate to step in, alongside non-roster invitees Carlos Carrasco and Allan Winans. Warren has impressed this spring with a 1.13 ERA over eight innings but struggled in the majors last season, posting a 10.32 ERA in six appearances.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].