Report: Yankees' Gerrit Cole Recommended for Tommy John Surgery on Elbow Injury

The New York Yankees have already incurred major injuries before the start of the 2025 season, and it sounds like more bad news could be on the way.

Jim Bowden of The Athletic reported on Sunday that Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole has been recommended to have Tommy John surgery on his injured elbow. Bowden added that the team is waiting for a second opinion to confirm the diagnosis.

Cole underwent imaging on his right elbow this weekend after declaring, "Something wasn't right" in his spring training start against the Minnesota Twins on Thursday in which he gave up six runs on five hits in just two and two-thirds innings.

This marks the second straight year that Cole has dealt with a setback before the start of the regular season. He was limited to just 17 starts in 2024 after missing the start of the year due to nerve irritation and edema in his right elbow. He went 8-5 with a 3.41 ERA and 99 strikeouts in 95.0 innings pitched before going 1-0 with a 2.17 ERA and 22 strikeouts in the postseason as the Yankees made their first World Series appearance since 2009.

In addition to the uncertainty surrounding Cole's status, the Yankees already lost key players to injuries. Veteran slugger Giancarlo Stanton will begin the season on the injured list due to pain in both of his elbows. Starting pitcher Luis Gil, the reigning American League Rookie of the Year, was shut down for at least six weeks because of a lat strain. Third baseman D.J. LeMahieu is dealing with a left calf strain.

The Yankees are hoping to make a second straight run to the World Series, but it won't be easy as these injuries keep mounting. Losing Cole would be a huge blow to New York's chances of repeating as American League champion.