JUPITER, Fla. — Brian Cashman didn’t have an update — or much optimism — on Gerrit Cole’s condition one day after the Yankees ace said he was “concerned” about his elbow.
“[I’m] prepared for the worst,” the Yankees GM said before a 6-5 Grapefruit League loss to the Cardinals. “We will see how it plays out. I’m always wired to think the worst and hope for the best.”
Cashman added: “Obviously not what you want, but it’s ultimately part of our journey here in 2025.”
For the second consecutive spring, the Yankees find themselves holding their breath about the 2023 Cy Young winner, who was diagnosed with elbow nerve inflammation and edema after just one spring start a year ago.
Cole, who experienced discomfort following his second spring start on Thursday against the Twins, underwent tests and imaging on his right elbow Friday to get an “initial idea” on the injury.
He is seeking additional opinions.
The 34-year-old gave up six runs in 2 ²/₃ innings while building up his pitch count to 54, and manager Aaron Boone said he is hoping to have an update on Monday.
On Saturday, Cole said he was “concerned” about having to undergo surgery on the same elbow that shut him down last season.
Cashman agreed with the six-time All-Star, saying “he should be concerned,” but countered that the Yankees and Cole are more prepared to handle this situation after going through it just a year ago.
“I was with him in Tampa. I think last year, [it was] very emotional [for Cole] because it was a whole new experience,” Cashman said. “This year now, not as emotional because he’s walked this line already. And so, I think he is mentally more prepared to deal with it because he’s already dealt with this once before. So, and that’s even the worst-case scenario. Just generally, we are all in a better position to handle something if we’ve had some experience handling it in the past.
“So, he’s already had a lot of conversations. A lot of engagement with the doctors and lived through this last year. So, less of an emotional shock this year, and now more about all right, what needs to be done here, what’s the best route for he and we.”
Still, looking for possible roster moves to overcome another injury nightmare, if needed, at this point in March is “difficult,” Cashman said.
It’s a hard pill to swallow for the Yankees, especially after they already took a big blow to the rotation when reigning AL Rookie of the Year Luis Gil was diagnosed with a high-grade lat strain that will sideline him at least until June.
Marcus Stroman is expected to fill in for Gil.
If Cole will miss time from the mound, the door will open for right-handers Will Warren and Carlos Carrasco, along with another depth piece in Allan Winans.
The Yankees tried avoid this very position, altering Cole’s offseason throwing regimen.
He followed the program, and Cashman said that it looked like “smooth sailing.”
“Last year, we had a successful rehab with him,” Cashman said. “You know, he came back and pitched great for us in the second half and obviously dominant in the postseason. So, it certainly felt like smooth sailing was ahead, but again, pitching is very brittle. That’s just general and then in his specific case, obviously had a breakdown last spring somewhere around this time, and now we’re dealing with another situation, which is obviously now more concerning because it’s not like the first episode is now the second episode. So, we’ll do what we have to do.”
Making his season debut on June 19 last season, Cole pitched to a 3.41 ERA across 17 starts in the regular season.
In five more starts in the postseason, he pitched to a 2.17 ERA but was on the mound as the Yankees imploded in Game 5 of the World Series.
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