Yankees P Gerrit Cole - courtesy of Getty Images
The Subway might crash in the Bronx, New York, especially if one’s riding the Cole train. Yankees’ ace pitcher Gerrit Cole will have Tommy John surgery on his troubled right elbow on Tuesday, March 11.
He will miss all of 2025 and possibly some of the 2026 season. While it stings right now, this is the best decision he could make, as his arm didn’t look right in his last Spring training outing.
Fill ln for Gerrit Cole: Cole’s Troubles
It all started Thursday, March 6, against the Minnesota Twins when Cole, in only 2 2/3 innings, permitted six earned runs on five hits and allowed two home runs in his second Spring training start of the year.
He could not control the game, and you could see signs on his face that he was in some kind of pain and that something was troubling him.
This marks two straight years that the 34-year-old will miss important reps due to his right elbow. Last March, elbow inflammation irritated Cole, but he conquered it with rest and rehab prior to coming back to the Yankees in June.
Additionally, the 2023 AL Cy Young Award winner remained healthy until the October World Series. Did his elbow actually heal correctly? The Injury Gods apparently had a second opinion.
The six-time All-Star will be nearly 36 years old by the time he finishes his Tommy John rehab. That’s if everything goes well for him through his 14 to 16-month timetable.
Fill In for Gerrit Cole: Projected Starting Rotation
For the immediate future, the starting rotation includes Max Fried, Carlos Rodon, Clarke Schmidt, Marcus Stroman, and Will Warren. Fried, who is left-handed, signed a record-breaking eight-year, $218 million contract this season.
Therefore, with Cole hurt, Fried will move up to the #1 spot, and if he stays healthy, he’ll be the perfect substitute for Cole.
This means the others will have to stay healthy as well in order for the Yankees to retain their chance to return to the Fall Classic in 2025 this October.
3 Possible Substitutes to fill in for Gerrit Cole
1. Will Warren- RHP
After a struggling rookie season (0-3), Warren has improved since the offseason. Currently, he boasts a (3-0) record with a 1.54 ERA this spring.
The 25-year-old’s best pitch is his big fastball, which usually ranges from 93 to 94 mph. This year, he’s elevated it up to 95 mph.
While he isn’t Cole-established yet, he throws Cole-like stuff as a young pitcher.
Look for Warren to do big things this year, as Cole will support him from the sidelines this season.
2. Carlos Carrasco- RHP
Carlos Carrasco, nicknamed “Cookie,” looks to return to his 2022 form when he was with the New York Mets. The 37-year-old has developed more into a journeyman type of pitcher.
Last Sunday, he permitted one run on two hits, allowing a home run and one walk while striking out three. In 7 2/3 innings this Spring, the righty has a 2.35 ERA.
“Feel pretty good, man,” he said. “Went out there, I found what I’m looking for in my pitches – in my slider and changeup, so everything feels great.”
He can bring his slider and changeup with him this season if he is chosen to fill in for Cole.
3. Allan Winans- RHP
Allan Winans made one save in three Spring training appearances for the Yanks, with a 1.08 era.
Despite being drafted by the Mets in 2018, he did not make his MLB debut with the Atlanta Braves until 2023.
Since then, he’s bounced between AAA and the MLB and will start this season with AAA Scranton Wilkes Barre, the Yankees affiliate.
The 29-year-old rarely throws his fastball, which averages 90.1 mph. His main pitch is an effective 82.8 mph changeup, and he also carries an average sinker of 89.5 mph.
Who will be the right fit to fill Cole’s shoes, as he will now support the team from the bench while recovering from his Tommy John surgery?
