DUNEDIN, Fla. — The Yankees are still counting on Gerrit Cole. However, no matter what the results of tests on the ace’s right elbow determine, the reality is that a new starting pitcher will be needed for Opening Day.
As of Tuesday afternoon, there was no clear update on Cole’s pitching elbow, which required an MRI on Monday, but even with a clean test, he is unlikely to be ready in time for the March 28 game in Houston. It was acknowledged that there was not enough time left to strengthen the system.
The Yankees began debating who would get the ball instead. The most logical candidate would be Marcus Stroman.
“We’re starting to have those conversations” about replacing Cole, manager Aaron Boone said before the Yankees faced the Blue Jays at TD Ballpark. “I’ll probably be able to tell you something about that in the next few days.”
For now, the Yankees’ predicament continues.
Boone said Cole was undergoing further testing on Tuesday, but did not specify what the tests were.
“We just changed the look even more to make sure all the bases were covered,” Boone said.
Cole told the team that he hasn’t been able to recover from the spring trip like usual. The reigning AL Cy Young Award winner last pitched in live batting practice on Thursday for three innings and 47 pitches.
Even if the imaging tests don’t reveal anything serious, Cole, who started just one game in the Grapefruit League, will have to start building up again for Opening Day, which is just over two weeks away. Dew.
Boone said he spoke with Cole on Tuesday morning and was asked how Cole was handling the situation.
“He’s dealing with it,” Boone said. “Right now…it’s that uncertainty. We’re trying to figure out exactly what’s going on there.”
