New York Yankees’ Ace Gerrit Cole Unlikely to Be Fit for Opening Day

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone has cast doubt on Gerrit Cole’s availability for the team’s Opening Day, signaling concerns over the pitcher’s elbow injury.

Boone disclosed to reporters that Cole was scheduled for an MRI on his pitching elbow on Monday. While updates on the results were not provided during Boone’s media briefing on Tuesday, he expressed skepticism about Cole’s readiness for the regular season opener against the Houston Astros on March 28. Boone cited insufficient time for Cole to recuperate and regain form, regardless of the MRI outcome.

Further evaluations on Cole’s elbow were slated for Tuesday, with Boone anticipating several days for the medical team to reach a definitive diagnosis.

Cole’s lone appearance in the Grapefruit League occurred against the Toronto Blue Jays on March 1, where he yielded three earned runs and four hits over 2.0 innings, including a home run, while throwing 39 pitches.

Entering the fifth season of his record-breaking nine-year, $324 million contract with the Yankees, the 33-year-old right-hander has been a mainstay as the team’s Opening Day starter for the past four years.

In the 2023 season, Cole posted impressive numbers, amassing a 15-4 record with a 2.63 ERA, 0.981 WHIP, and a 7.4 WAR.

Despite his standout career statistics, which include a Cy Young Award win and multiple top-10 finishes, Cole’s current injury setback adds uncertainty to the Yankees’ pitching rotation. Consequently, the team has reportedly reopened discussions with the Chicago White Sox regarding a potential trade for ace Dylan Cease. Additionally, with star slugger Aaron Judge also facing injury concerns, the Yankees find themselves navigating a challenging landscape ahead of the upcoming season.