The New York Yankees fans received an alarming awakening on Monday. Manager Aaron Boone made an announcement that ace Gerrit Cole was to undergo an MRI on his right (throwing) elbow. This news sent ripples of anxiety through the baseball world. What was a relatively calm spring training camp for the Yankees, turned into a nightmare. Only one question comes to mind – what now? 

Boone sure sounded reassuring that the severity of the issue Cole was experiencing, was low. He, in fact, called it a “level of discomfort” rather than pain. However, the timing of the MRI raises serious concerns for the Yankees’ championship aspirations. It’s a crucial period and one hopes for Cole Train to get well soon, but the worry that comes with it makes one wonder about worst-case scenarios. Starting with ‘What if this is serious’? 

A Slow Recovery and Missed Regular Season Time 

One can’t know for sure until Tuesday. But if the reigning Cy Young award winner experiences a slow recovery, he will be forced to miss a few regular-season starts. Note that Boone mentioned that Cole’s usual bounce-back time between starts has been impacted. It seems like he feels more taxed than usual during spring training. This could translate to a stint on the injured list early in the season. What’s worse than disrupting the Yankees’ carefully crafted rotation leaving them vulnerable? 

Well, the Yanks already have a thin starting rotation. Remember they traded away away significant pitching depth in the December deals for Juan Soto and Alex Verdugo? An injury to Cole is bound to create a gaping void. Unfortunately it’s too late to scramble for replacements, and this would only freak the whole team out more. 

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If one things about it, there are internal options including young arms like Clarke Schmidt, Luis Gil, or Deivi Garcia. However, these are largely unproven at the major league level. This makes one wonder, whether general manager Brian Cashman could explore external options via trade. Will they have to succumb to the load of the asking prices for these established starters? Free agent Blake Snell is another possibility, but his price tag could also be a deterrent. Helpless? Hopeless? Perhaps both. 

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A Potential Lost Season and Questions About Gerrit Cole’s Future

Cole’s durability has been a hallmark of his career. He has averaged 32 starts over the past six seasons. An injury at this point in time could not only hurt the Yankees in 2024 but also cast doubt on Cole’s ability to perform. It doesn’t take much time for a player to lose his elite status. Cole, as a matter of fact, has had a clean history when it comes to health which makes this a bigger concern. 

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With Cole’s MRI results yet to be revealed, Yankee fans are left in a state of stressful anticipation. The coming days will be key in determining the gravity of the situation and the impact on the team’s season. On one hand, the initial signs are not as discouraging. On the other, the Yankees faithful cannot help but imagine the worst-case scenarios until a clear picture emerges.