2023 Cy Young Winner Gerrit Cole to Miss 2025 Season Following Tommy John Surgery by Dr. Neal ElAttrache

New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole, the 2023 American League Cy Young Award winner and six-time All-Star, will undergo Tommy John surgery on Tuesday to repair a torn right ulnar collateral ligament, the team announced. At age 34, Cole will miss the entire 2025 MLB season. The surgery will be performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache at the Cedars-Sinai Kerlan-Jobe Institute in Los Angeles. Cole had been dealing with elbow soreness since his start on March 6 against the Twins, where he pitched 2 2/3 innings and allowed six runs. The diagnosis of a torn UCL came after further tests and consultations, including a second opinion. Cole expressed his determination to return stronger on his Instagram, stating his goal remains to bring a World Series championship to New York. The Yankees, the reigning AL champions, have been hit hard by injuries this spring. They will now rely on their other pitchers to fill the void left by Cole. Max Fried, signed in the offseason for eight years and $218 million, will lead the rotation alongside Carlos Rodón and Clarke Schmidt. Marcus Stroman and pitching prospect Will Warren are expected to round out the starting five at the beginning of the season. The team is also without reigning AL Rookie of the Year Luis Gil, who is sidelined with a lat strain and expected to return in June. The Yankees may explore external options to bolster their rotation, with free agents like Kyle Gibson, Lance Lynn, and Spencer Turnbull available, though none match Cole's caliber.