Gerrit Cole’s Surgery Brings Hope Amid Setbacks
The New York Yankees faced a significant blow this week with the news that their ace pitcher, Gerrit Cole, will miss the entire 2025 season due to an elbow injury. Despite this setback, there is a silver lining. Cole underwent UCL surgery with internal bracing, a procedure that can reduce inflammation and speed up recovery time. This type of surgery could potentially shorten his recovery period to around 12 months compared to traditional methods. There is a slight chance that Cole might be ready for Opening Day in 2026. Other players like Spencer Strider and Lucas Giolito have had similar surgeries with promising recovery timelines. Cole, at 34 years old, is considered one of the best pitchers of his era with a career record of 153-80 over 12 years with teams like the Pittsburgh Pirates, Houston Astros, and Yankees. He is a six-time All-Star and won the American League Cy Young Award in 2023 along with two ERA titles. Last season, despite elbow issues, he managed an 8-5 record in 17 starts as the Yankees won the American League pennant.
Giancarlo Stanton’s Injury Woes Continue
The Yankees are also dealing with significant challenges due to injuries to Giancarlo Stanton. Stanton is facing multiple injuries, including tennis elbow in both elbows and a chronic calf issue, which are affecting the Yankees’ offense. Jon Heyman reports that Stanton’s arm pain is a more significant problem than his calf issue, with Memorial Day being an optimistic return estimate. Stanton has been frequently injured since joining the Yankees, and his current chronic injury does not bode well for his future performance. Manager Aaron Boone initially described Stanton’s return to New York as “personal in nature,” raising speculation about further injuries. There is no current timeline for Stanton’s return to baseball activities despite being back in Yankees camp. Since 2019, Stanton has experienced approximately 10 injuries, causing him to miss substantial playing time. Elbow surgery remains an option for Stanton, which could result in missing the entire 2025 season. Despite frequent injuries, he has never missed a full season before. His performance was crucial during the Yankees’ postseason run last year, leading to their first World Series appearance since 2009.
Potential Trade for Lars Nootbaar
In response to these challenges, the Yankees are considering a trade to bolster their lineup. Replacing Stanton temporarily could be achieved by trading for Lars Nootbaar from the St. Louis Cardinals. Nootbaar is considered one of the most underrated bats in baseball despite past injury troubles; he has strong on-base percentages and elite hard-hit rate metrics. The Cardinals might be motivated to trade Nootbaar due to payroll concerns and recent arbitration battles; Nootbaar won his case and will earn $2.95 million this season. A potential trade package from the Yankees could include prospects Roderick Arias and Rafael Flores, who have shown promise but also have areas needing improvement. General Manager Brian Cashman has indicated that acquiring another pitcher is not an option at this time, but adding a new right-handed bat and finding a third baseman are priorities.
Carlos Carrasco’s Unexpected Rise
The Yankees signed 37-year-old pitcher Carlos Carrasco in the offseason as a depth piece, initially intended to provide veteran insurance in Triple-A or step in if injuries occurred. Due to a series of injuries on the team, Carrasco has moved from being a backup plan to being considered for a significant role on the pitching staff, either as a long reliever or potential starter. Currently, Will Warren is favored to secure the final rotation spot, but Carrasco remains a viable option due to Clarke Schmidt‘s back issue and the need for ready arms. Last season with the Cleveland Guardians, Carrasco pitched 103.2 innings with a 5.64 ERA. Despite past struggles, Carrasco has shown promise during spring training with the Yankees by posting a 2.45 ERA over 11 innings and striking out 9.82 batters per nine innings while maintaining an encouraging 56% ground ball rate. Yankees manager Aaron Boone praised Carrasco’s consistent performance during spring training. Even if he doesn’t immediately join the rotation, Carrasco is likely to secure a roster spot due to injuries sidelining key pitchers like Gerrit Cole for the year and Luis Gil for at least three months.
Looking Ahead to the Season Opener
The Yankees will start their season on March 27 at home against the Milwaukee Brewers. Despite the challenges posed by injuries, the team remains optimistic about their prospects for the upcoming season. The addition of new players like Devin Williams, Paul Goldschmidt, and Max Fried has boosted team morale ahead of spring training. The Yankees are determined to build on their success from last season and aim for another strong postseason run. Fans are encouraged to follow updates and rumors about MLB events and player conditions like Cole’s situation by following Robert Murray’s work on The Baseball Insiders podcast or subscribing to The Moonshot newsletter. As the season approaches, the Yankees are focused on overcoming their current challenges and making a strong start to the year.