Yankees Star Pitcher Gerrit Cole Undergoes Tommy John Surgery

Gerrit Cole, the top pitcher for the New York Yankees, has undergone Tommy John Surgery. The 34-year-old six-time All-Star shared this news with fans recently.

On his Instagram page, Cole wrote:

""Today, the most respected medical experts in the field recommend that I undergo Tommy John surgery. This isn't the news any athlete wants to hear, but it's the necessary next step for my career.""

What is Tommy John Surgery?

Tommy John Surgery is a special operation that baseball pitchers sometimes need. The surgery got its name from Tommy John, a baseball player who was the first to have this surgery in 1974.

When pitchers throw the ball over and over again, sometimes a ligament in their elbow can get stretched or torn. A ligament is like a strong band that connects bones together. The ligament that often gets hurt is called the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL).

In Tommy John Surgery, doctors take a tendon (another strong band) from somewhere else in the body, or sometimes they use a tendon from a donor. They use this tendon to replace the damaged ligament in the pitcher's elbow. This helps make the elbow strong again so the pitcher can pitch again without pain.

How Long Will Gerrit Cole Be Out?

Pitchers who have Tommy John Surgery usually need a long time to heal. Most players need between 12 to 18 months before they can play again. This means Cole will miss all of the 2025 season and maybe part of the 2026 season too.

What Will the Yankees Do Now?

Replacing Gerrit Cole will not be easy for the Yankees. The other pitchers in the rotation will need to step up.

Carlos Rodon will be the starting pitcher for the Yankees on Opening Day. Max Fried, who the Yankees signed as a free agent, will now need to be the team's ace pitcher. An ace is the best pitcher on a team, the one who can be counted on in big games.

Yankees Projected Pitching Rotation for 2025

In baseball, teams use what's called a ""5-man rotation"" for their pitchers. This means they have five different starting pitchers who take turns pitching games.

Below is the New York Yankees projected rotation following the injury to Cole:

• LHP Carlos Rodon
• LHP Max Fried
• RHP Marcus Stroman
• RHP Will Warren
• RHP Carlos Carrasco

Without Cole on the mound, the Yankees will need to count on the rest of their pitching staff to step up. The team faces a tough road ahead, but they remain hopeful they can still compete for a championship even though their best pitcher is sidelined.