This was the first time that Gerrit Cole’s appearance has attracted attention since the paper reported that the Yankees ace would be out for at least one to two months.
The current AL Cy Young Award winner was photographed at LAX on Wednesday.
In photos obtained exclusively by the newspaper, Cole is seen leaving a busy Los Angeles airport wearing a dark long-sleeved shirt, blue jeans and carrying a gray backpack.
When approached by the videographer, Cole politely requested “a little space.”
Asked for an update on his injured arm, the right-hander replied, “I feel like I’ve already answered that question.”
Cole is concerned about a torn ulnar collateral ligament and is scheduled to meet with renowned sports surgeon Dr. Neil Elatrache, as the Yankees pitcher will be meeting in person.
Team doctors and El Atrache have viewed preliminary footage of Cole, and the highly respected sports surgeon has requested further tests despite initial optimism that he can be treated with rest and conservative treatment. I recommended it.
Cole is expected to be out for an “extended period” and there are currently hopes that he could be back in May or early June.
He has already been scheduled to play in the Yankees’ season opener on March 28th against the Astros at Minute Maid Park.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone told reporters during spring training in Florida that Cole was “dealing with” his right elbow situation.
“Right now…it’s that uncertainty, trying to figure out exactly what’s going on there,” Boone said.
Cole didn’t lose any speed or command on the mound in the spring, but recovery was an issue.
Boone said earlier this week that Cole’s recovery is much stronger than he felt “when he was throwing 100 pitches all season.”
Cole had a 2.63 ERA and struck out 222 batters in 209 innings last season en route to winning his first Cy Young Award.
