Just when you thought it couldn’t get worse for the New York Yankees, it does. The team has had a rough spring training in terms of injuries.
Early in spring training, they found out Giancarlo Stanton would be unable to participate due to an elbow injury. Then, Luis Gil suffered a lat strain that will keep him out for a few months. Now, the Yankees have more bad news: Gerrit Cole is dealing with an elbow injury, and it’s unclear how long Cole will be out — but early indications aren’t promising.
Gerrit Cole’s Injury Status
According to David Lennon, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman commented on Cole’s elbow injury, saying, “I’m prepared for the worst, but we’ll see how it plays out.”
Brian Cashman on Cole’s elbow.
“I’m prepared for the worst, but we’ll see how it plays out.”#Yankees— David Lennon (@DPLennon) March 9, 2025
Unfortunately for the Yankees, Cole missing time is not new. He only pitched 95 innings last season after dealing with arm issues. The Yankees are already in serious trouble with their pitching staff before the season starts.
If Cole misses significant time, their starting rotation will need upgrades.
Right now, the rotation consists of Max Fried, Carlos Rodón, Clarke Schmidt, and Marcus Stroman. That group doesn’t strike fear into many opposing teams, so it would make sense for the Yankees to explore trade options.
Yankees Season Outlook
The Yankees are coming off a World Series appearance, and their fanbase expects another deep playoff run. Cashman has been aggressive in the past about improving his team. Playing in the tough AL East means the Yankees likely need around 90 wins to make the playoffs. Given their current pitching situation, that could be a challenge.
The Baltimore Orioles should be playoff contenders again, and the Boston Red Sox look like one of the most improved teams in the AL on paper. Losing Cole could make this division more competitive than it seemed just a week ago.
One player who must continue to lead the Yankees is outfielder Aaron Judge. He’s coming off an MVP-winning season, where he hit 58 home runs and drove in 144 runs — one of the most impressive offensive seasons we’ve seen.
It will be interesting to see how the Yankees handle these injuries, but they’re in a tough spot heading into the 2025 season.
