The New York Yankees received concerning news regarding their ace, Gerrit Cole, as he is set to undergo an MRI due to experiencing “discomfort” in his right elbow. This revelation was made by manager Aaron Boone during a press conference in Florida. The reigning American League Cy Young Award winner has not been recovering as expected between his spring outings. Boone mentioned that Cole’s current recovery process resembles what he usually goes through during the regular season when he is making around 100 pitches. This is alarming since Cole seems to be struggling with recovery even at the 45 to 55 pitch mark, unlike his usual routine. While Boone described it as discomfort rather than pain, the situation raises red flags about Cole’s health going forward.
Cole, who is 33 years old, was supposed to make his second start of spring training the following day when the discomfort was revealed. In his first appearance against the Toronto Blue Jays, he surrendered three runs over two-plus innings. Just six days later, he pitched in a simulated game throwing 47 pitches across three innings without reporting any issues afterwards. However, Boone expressed concern about Cole’s recovery pattern and decided that an MRI was necessary to evaluate the extent of the problem. This abrupt change in plans casts a shadow over Cole’s anticipated performance this season, especially considering his consistent track record of making at least 30 starts in the past six regular seasons.
In addition to Cole’s health concerns, the Yankees are also dealing with spring training fatigue from center fielder Aaron Judge. Judge is expected to be sidelined until Wednesday due to exhaustion. He has not participated in on-field batting practice for the past few days and was withdrawn from a recent game against the Atlanta Braves after three innings and two strikeouts. This setback adds to the team’s worries as they navigate through the challenges of spring training and aim to have a fully healthy roster before the start of the regular season.
The news of Gerrit Cole’s discomfort and Aaron Judge’s fatigue puts the New York Yankees in a precarious position as they prepare for the upcoming season. Cole, the cornerstone of their pitching rotation, is an essential asset whose health directly impacts the team’s performance. With the uncertainty surrounding his recovery, the Yankees may need to reassess their pitching strategy and rotation plans. Similarly, Aaron Judge’s absence raises questions about the team’s outfield depth and offensive capabilities. As they navigate through these challenges, the Yankees will need to prioritize player health and well-being to ensure a successful and competitive season ahead.
The recent developments regarding Gerrit Cole’s injury and Aaron Judge’s fatigue have created significant concerns for the New York Yankees. The team must address these issues promptly and effectively to mitigate any adverse effects on their performance. As the season approaches, all eyes will be on the Yankees as they strive to overcome these obstacles and showcase their resilience in the face of adversity.
Leave a Reply