NEW YORK—In a devastating blow to the New York Yankees and their World Series aspirations, ace pitcher Gerrit Cole will undergo Tommy John surgery tomorrow to repair a torn right ulnar collateral ligament (UCL), the team announced on Monday, March 10, 2025. 

The procedure, which replaces the damaged ligament with a tendon from another part of the body or a donor, will sideline the 34-year-old right-hander for the entirety of the 2025 Major League Baseball season and potentially longer.

 

 

 

Yankees Gerrit Cole To Miss Entire 2025 Season (Tommy John Surgery)

The news, reported by ESPN and confirmed by Yankees manager Aaron Boone, comes as a shock to fans and analysts alike, given Cole’s status as one of the game’s premier pitchers. Cole, the 2023 American League Cy Young Award winner, has been a cornerstone of the Yankees’ rotation since signing a nine-year, $324 million contract in 2019. 

His absence leaves a gaping hole in a pitching staff that was expected to lead the team back to the postseason after reaching the American League Championship Series in 2024.

Cole’s elbow troubles first surfaced during the 2024 season, when he missed time due to inflammation in his right elbow. Despite returning to pitch effectively in the latter part of the year, the lingering injury worsened, culminating in the diagnosis of a UCL tear.

After consulting with medical experts and the Yankees’ training staff, surgery became the only viable option to ensure long-term health, though it comes at a steep short-term cost.

 

 

 

Tommy John Surgery Recovery

Tommy John surgery, named after the former Dodgers pitcher who underwent the procedure in 1974, has become a common operation for pitchers but requires an extensive recovery period of 12 to 18 months. 

Even with successful outcomes—such as Jose Altuve, who returned stronger after the surgery in 2019—there is no guarantee Cole will regain his pre-injury form immediately upon his return, which could extend into the 2026 season.

The Yankees, who opened their 2025 spring training with high hopes, now face a significant challenge. Cole’s 2.63 ERA and 15-4 record from the 2023 season underscored his dominance, and his leadership in the clubhouse has been invaluable for younger pitchers like Luis Gil and Clarke Schmidt. 

 

 

 

Yankees Starting Pitching 2025

With Cole out, the team will lean on Max Fried, Carlos Rodon, and Schmidt to anchor the rotation, while general manager Brian Cashman explores potential free-agent options, such as Patrick Corbin or Lance Lynn, to bolster the staff.

The timing of the injury is particularly brutal, as MLB released the 2025 regular season schedule earlier this month, featuring tough early matchups for the Yankees, including a rivalry series against the Boston Red Sox. Yankees fans, already reeling from the loss of prospect Jasson Dominguez to injury earlier in spring training, now brace for a season without their ace.

While the Yankees remain committed to supporting Cole’s recovery, the immediate focus shifts to adapting their strategy for 2025. As the baseball world reacts to this seismic shift in the Bronx, all eyes will be on whether the Yankees can overcome this setback and remain contenders in a highly competitive American League.